Chapter Thirty-Seven
Help In A Dream
I knew I was not in Beorn's home for one thing, the place I was now in, was very chilly and dark. The air was no better either, just where in the world was I?
"Elaina?"
I turned to the source of voice and I could faintly make out a tall person heading towards me.
"I did wonder when you would arrive here." carried on the very familiar voice.
"Loki?" I questioned, not sure what was going on here.
"Were you expecting someone else?" Loki chuckled, walking towards me "I expect you're wondering where we both are."
"Somehow, I don't think we are in the real world."
"That is partly true," replied Loki who now had a green mist around him "though your body is safe against Thorin's," Loki chuckled at that "your soul is here in the dragon's reach."
The green mist that was around Loki suddenly moved causing a light to appear from nowhere.
"Dragon's reach, you mean Smaug?"
Loki who was looking upwards at the light he had just created, turned to me with a small smile on his face and nodded his head.
"Yes, Smaug. You are here to weaken the first part of his curse."
I just looked at him like he was mad. I knew I would have to help Smaug out but, I was not expecting to do this by being in dream land.
"Believe me, this is the only way to set him on the right course," carried on Loki, when I did not say anything "it will be much easier."
"I have no idea on what to do," I confessed to him "after all, it is still new to me. How can I even help Smaug?"
Loki graced me with a smile, while making another light appear from the green mist that was still around him.
"Just be yourself Elaina. That is all you need to worry about."
"Easier for you to say."
Curiosity got the better of me and I had to ask,
"Just what are you doing?"
"Come now Elaina, I thought you were intelligent!" grinned Loki "It is blatantly obvious that I am making lights appear, so you and I will be able to see better. Now then-," trailed of Loki watching me with a somber expression on his face.
"Now what are you up too?" I asked him.
I did not like the way he was watching me. In fact, it was very off putting.
"You need to be protected." informed Loki, the green mist now going around me.
I was about to give him a piece of my mind when a sudden roar came from nowhere.
"What was that?" I asked, looking around the dank area.
It looked like we were deep in a cave. The walls were slightly damp and there was a strange smell in the air. The smell wasn't unpleasent, it reminded me of the rain when it hits the cobble stones and grass.
"I do believe that was the sound of who you are trying to help," smirked Loki to which I glared at "come, the sooner you help Smaug, the sooner you can befriend hm."
"Easier said than done." I muttered under my breath.
Now that there was a light, I glanced around our surroundings. I discovered we were not in a cave, but in Erebor itself. There were many broken down walls and there were many broken relics but what really caught my attention, were the two massive stone statues that had somehow survived the onslaught of Smaug's anger.
Both statues were finely crafted. The left statue was holding onto a sword in his right hand, while in his left hand, he was carrying a shield as if waiting for a fight to start. I looked at the shield and noticed it was very detailed.
The shield had a strange marking on the centre of it and around that, were little blue and green gemstones all around the edge of the shield. My attention went back to the centre. That mark reminded me of what Gandalf had done back in Bag End, placing a rune on the door of my home.
"That is the mark of Durin," informed Loki, sounding quite bored "looking at the right statue, really reminds me of someone, don't you think?"
I looked at Loki then at the statue he was referring too. As my eyes trailed up to the statues body, again I noticed he too was holding onto a weapon. An axe was in his right hand though he was not holding a shield like the other statue was.
I turned my attention to his face and a little gasp came out of my mouth causing Loki to snicker. Ignoring him for a moment, I slowly walked up to the statue completely transfixed. The statue looked exactly like Thorin.
The only thing that was different however, was the little braid on his beard, this was carved beautifully. Whoever did this, was very skilled. I knew Thorin did not have a braided beard now and I wondered why that was. I would have to ask him. Turning my attention to the left statue, a sudden thought came through me.
"This must be Thorin's brother Frerin," I whispered, turning to look at Loki "Thorin explained what had happened to him. My heart goes out to him."
"Thorin will be pleased that these two statues are still standing, yes?" smiled Loki and for once, it was a genuine one.
"Indeed!" I replied, gracing him with a smile of my own.
Sighing, I turned my attention to where we were headed.
"Let's get going, this curse needs to go."
"Follow me."
Taking a last look at Frerin and Thorin, I took a deep breath and began to follow Loki. When we started to walk, the lights above us were following us, which was a comfort. I had no idea on what to expect from all of this.
The air was more stale than what it was a few moments ago. There were no more statues, only broken walls and doors and many bones, to which I tried not to tread on them. A sudden roar caused me to stop and turn to my left. My eyes went wide when I saw a large silhouette hovering nearby.
"Who dares to wake me? Was it you?" bellowed a voice.
"Speak to him," urged Loki "he will not harm you. He can not see us."
"What?"
"Why do you think I placed lights around us? It is a barrier to protect you from the evil from within."
"I noticed you haven't got this barrier around you!" I pointed out.
Loki had the gull to snort out a laugh.
"Darling, I am the god of mischief, I do not need protecting. Now speak to him."
"And say what?" I replied, noticing the silhouette move a fraction more.
"I don't know! Tell him anything. The more he hears your voice, the more he will gain your trust."
"What?"
"Just do it!"
Glaring at Loki, I returned my attention to the silhouette that was slowly heading our way.
"I-I-I mean you no harm," I stuttered "I just want to talk to you."
"About what?" snapped the voice of Smaug "On how to steal my treasure?"
I shook my head knowing that Smaug may have what Thorin could get. The gold sickness. If this was true, it could be harder to gain the dragon's trust.
"I have no need for your treasure," I admitted, knowing that was true "I just want to help you."
"Help me? What makes you think I need help?" sneered Smaug "I do not need help, I am a dragon who has-,"
"Who is under a curse!" I interrupted him, my voice slowly gaining confidence.
The shadow on the walls stopped moving and I knew Smaug was close by. Question was, when would I finally see him?
"You know of my problem?"
"Yes and I would like to help you."
A loud noise came in the direction of the shadow and then slowly, the silhouette slowly diminished and in its place, stood a massive dragon, looking around the place.
"I can hear and sense you and your companion, yet I can not see you. Why is that?"
"Well, the reason you can not see us," I began glancing at Loki once more, who had a grin on his face "is because we are not really not here."
"That does not make any sense!" scorned Smaug "Explain yourself!"
Taking a deep breath, I explained as best as I could on how I am here in the first place. That to me, being here in Erebor was a dream that Loki and I could travel into.
"And you say you could help me?" replied Smaug.
"That is correct." I answered.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Elaina Baggins," I replied "and I would like to heal you from this curse that is inside your head."
"What if I do not want any help? What would you do then?"
Looking up at the big red dragon, the light that Loki had created caught Smaug's eyes as he was still searching for us. His eyes I realised, were showing me what was really in his mind.
Guilt and despair.
Those Messengers really had done something to him. I really had to help him, though I still had no idea on what to do.
"None of what happened to you is your fault Smaug."
"Pffft."
"It's true and I can clearly see in your eyes that you are innocent."
"Don't believe her," I heard Smaug say in a low raspy whisper, turning his head to his right "she is trying to trick you."
"But what if she can help me?" said Smaug in the voice he had spoken to me.
I turned to Loki who was looking up at the dragon with wide eyes. I had a feeling even Loki wasn't expecting this new development.
"I tell you, it is a trick!" came the low voice "She just wants the mountain and all its contents. Find and kill her!"
This was getting ridiculous. Partly because if Smaug did try and attack us, he would only make himself look like a fool. He could only hear my voice, not actually see me. I knew I had to gain his trust now rather than later, but still I had no idea on how to achieve that.
"Calm him down, by singing to him!" came another voice.
It had sounded female. I had heard this voice before, but where? I turned to Loki who was still watching Smaug. I realised he had not heard another voice which confused me.
"Believe in your power Elaina, it will help Smaug."came the voice again.
Just as I was about to reply to this new voice, a sudden calmness came to me. I had no idea where this had come from, but it did ease my mind. A song that until now, was lost deep in my mind, came out of nowhere and I took a step forward and began to sing.
'A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain
Softly blows o'er lullaby bay.
It fills the sails of boats that are waiting,
Waiting to sail your worries away.'
I paused, looking up at Smaug who had since stopped moving his head and was now looking directly at me. That should have alarmed me but when I glanced at Loki, he urged me to continue with this song. Taking a deep breath, I returned my attention back at Smaug and sang.
'It isn't far to Hushabye Mountain
And your boat waits down by the quay.
The winds of night so softly are sighing,
Soon they will fly your troubles to sea
/
So close your eyes on Hushabye Mountain.
Wave goodbye to cares of the day.
And watch your boat from Hushabye Mountain
Sail far away from lullaby bay.'
As I sang the last note, I felt the power within me envelop me. Raising both my hands up, a white power came out of the palms of my hands and I then concentrated on Smaug.
"You will never have him," sneered the evil voice again "he belongs with us."
"No," I shouted back, the white power in my hands waiting to be released "Smaug needs to be himself once more."
With that, I clenched my hands together feeling the warmth from the power within, before reopening them, letting the white power finally escape from my hands. It was like before, when we were all being chased by that Messenger and those Wargs, my power was once again helping me.
The room we were in, shook a little but that did not deter me. Using both my hands, I could feel the power that was from within, hit Smaug's head, entering the cause of the problem.
"You will never win, witch," the voice said again "even now an army is being prepared. Soon you will bow-,"
I had, had enough of this evil voice of Smaug so, using all that was left of my power, I again concentrated on where the root of where this curse was, his head. Smaug growled out in pain and though I did feel guilty, I never stopped using this strange power that was imside of me.
A green mist then went around Smaug's entire face and at the corner of my eyes, I could see Loki using his own magic.
"Don't mind me," smirked Loki "I'm just here to amuse myself."
The green mist joined forces with my white power and together, the power intensified, as it swirled around Smaug's head. The two powers combined, that actually went inside Smaug's open mouth.
The light was still visable as Smaug tried desperately to spit it back out, but he was having no luck with that. Fire then came out of his mouth as I saw the last of our combined work die down.
"NOOOOoooooooooo!" screamed the evil side of Smaug "It can not be."
Slowly, I felt my hands fall to my sides before I fell to my knees, completely drained. I felt Loki's arm go around me as I tried to get my bearings. I could hear Smaug roaring in the distance, smashing anything that was in his way. Then I felt and heard a massive thud.
With all the strength I could muster, I slowly looked ahead. My eyes went wide when I saw an unconscious Smaug not to far from where Loki and I were.
"W-Will he be alright?" I finally say to Loki.
"Oh he'll be fine. He'll must probably have a major headache when he finally awakens. Nothing serious," replied Loki giving my shoulder a little squeeze "how about you, are you alright?"
Turning my head, I caught the concern on Loki's face but I graced him with a small smile.
"I will be though I thought I had to do this alone?"
Loki's trademark grin came back.
"I did nothing," I frowned at that "When we will see Smaug again, as soon as you open that pretty little mouth of yours, he will know what you did to him. Smaug is not an idiot. Though that voice he was portraying did make me realise that these Messengers are clearly dumb."
"Dumb but powerful." I surmised."
"Exactly. Come, let us leave. I expect you would like to be in the arms of Thorin once again."
"Loki-," I began but my voice trailed of into the darkness, though I did hear Loki's 'ehehehe' coming from afar.
I jumped when an arm stroked the small of my back causing me to turn my head to my right side. There slept Thorin, unaware to what I had recently done. With great care, I turned and faced him, noticing his arm now tighten around me.
I gently placed my left hand on his hairy chest, running my fingers through it. I was relieved to be back in a familiar surrounding. I trailed kisses on his stomach to his navel, hearing and feeling a soft laugh coming from my heart's lips.
"That tickles." mused Thorin, causing me to chuckle.
"Aha, I think I've found your weakness." I remark as my fingers once again went through his chest hair, trying to tickle him.
"You think so, do you?"
"I know so!" I chuckled.
Before I knew what was happening, Thorin moved and was now on top of me, pinning his body against mine.
"You were saying?" He whispered, his face mere inch's from my own.
I did not say anything. All I did was place my right hand on his beard, remembering the statue of him. I saw Thorin shut his eyes briefly before brushing his lips against mine.
As the kiss deepened, I could hear Thorin hum something. It took me a second to realise what it was and I broke the kiss watching him with curious eyes. He only grinned back at me.
"Do you know that you sing in your sleep?"
I could feel my cheeks burn to which Thorin noticed and I knew it was time to explain to what recently happened.
"Thorin, I-,"
"I already know." interrupted Thorin.
"I don't understand."
Thorin had the cheek to smirk at me.
"You not only sang in your sleep, you were also talking."
"Oh dear!"
"Not out loud," I watched Thorin's hand as he pointed to his head "I heard every thought that you said to...to...-,"
"Smaug." I finished for him, seeing Thorin nod his head.
"Aye, that dragon. Plus I also heard what Loki was saying too!"
"You did?"
Thorin nods.
"He was right about something though," I raised my eyebrow waiting for him to continue "you were in my arms."
"Thorin," I smiled, lifting my head to brush my lips against his own "you are showing your softer side."
"Please don't mock me my angel," though Thorin did sound harsh with his words, I could see a playful smile forming on his lips "tell me something, what is Erebor like now?"
I sighed and looked away and try to explain to what I had seen.
"It was cold and there are many broken walls and what not."
I turned my attention back to Thorin who was watching me intently.
"I did however see two statues," I began once more "somehow they have not been touched by Smaug's anger."
"Yes, I remember you speaking to Loki about my brother."
"Hmm, That's because the two statues were of your brother Frerin and yourself."
Thorin's blue eyes widened, as if he could not believe my words were true.
"Are you certain?"
I nodded and then descripted the two statues in detail, noticing Thorin close his eyes as I go on.
"I can hardly believe they would still be standing." Thorin said after a while.
"They are," I replied, gently stroking Thorin's beard "though your statue really did catch my attention."
"Oh?" smiled Thorin, opening his eyes, watching me.
"Your statue had a bead in his beard. Why haven't you now?"
Thorin looked away again and I wondered if I should have kept my mouth shut about this. The way Thorin was looking, nearly broke my heart. Only moments ago we were both laughing, now Thorin looked like he was about to get upset.
"After Smaug attacked, began Thorin, though I didn't have the heart to correct him about Smaug this time "and we finally found a new home Ered Luin. I wanted to remember what we had lost. So I cut of my braid on my beard, then trimmed it."
Thorin returned his attention back to me. The sadness in his eyes were plain to see. My hand trailed up to his cheek, letting him know that he was not alone anymore. That he could tell me anything.
"I've been trimming my beard ever since. To remember what myself and my fellow men have lost."
"Will you ever grow your beard again?" I asked him, gently.
"I don't know Elaina. At the moment, I doubt I would do that. The memory is too much, too painful."
My fingers gently went back on his soft beard, stroking it. Thorin closed his eyes leaning his face against my palm.
"Thank you for sharing this with me," I whispered "I know that could not have been easy to tell me."
Thorin reopened his eyes and watched me.
"I will always tell you about my life my angel," he leaned forward and crashed his lips against mine "you are my heart, soul and body. Always remember that."
"I will," I reply, brushing my nose against his "and the same goes for me."
"Let us focus on the here and now." smiled Thorin and I arch my eyebrows with a confused look on my face.
"I don't think I follow."
Thorin tilts his head back and laughed. It was nice to hear him laugh again.
"Well my dear, please allow me to show you."
Before I could do anything, Thorin grabbed hold of me and reversed our positions. I was now on top of Thorin whose hands were now stroking my back. He watched me with a small smile on his face and I knew then what he had meant.
"Men lananubukhs menu." I say to him, seeing his smile broaden.
"I'm glad to hear it, my angel."
His lips once again went on mine all the while, his hands were slowly traveling downward. His touch alone, gave out little messages to my heart.
"Men lananubukhs menu," whispered Thorin "now, let me show you what love is really like."
The line was a little corny but the way his hand was stroking my skin, made me realise that making love to Thorin would always be like this. Even though this was still new to me, I would welcome these moments for a long time to come.
o0o
~~Hetti's POV~~
I had no idea what had come over Kili. So what if his brother was still single, it was up to Fili to change that and not Kili. There was just something off with Kili's behaviour. The way he acted towards Fili was very weird and I hated that.
Footsteps came up to me and I turn around expecting to see either Kili or Loki. Walking up to me was Thor who had a somber expression on his face.
"My lady, could I have a word with you?"
"You may."
"What are your intentions with my brother?"
I found myself looking at the ground. I could actually feel my cheeks go red.
"My head is telling me that Loki would be the perfect choice for me," I began, slowly meeting Thor's blue eyes "but, my heart is telling me that Kili is the one for me."
I was surprised when Thor placed his arm on my shoulder with a small smile on his face.
"Trust your heart, not your head."
Despite myself I snorted out a laugh. I was not expecting him to say that.
"I can see Kili adores and loves you, whereas if you stay with Loki, he would only confuse you with each passing day."
"I can take care of myself." I reply, defending myself.
"All I'm saying is, my brother even hurts whose he loves. You have been warned."
With that, Thor let go of my shoulder and walked off, leaving me even more confused then ever.
o0o
~~Thorin's POV~~
I watch my angel as she slept on my chest. My fingers gently touch the small of her back. I would treasure these moments. Since meeting Elaina, a calm feeling has crept into my very being.
Before ever seeing her, I did not trust others. As I knew all to well that people in towns and villages had always acted strange around me. I slowly shake my head remembering the sneers from strangers as I crafted blades and axes for them.
They had no idea on what had happened to me and my kin and yet that did not stop the snide comments. If it hadn't of been for Dwalin, I think I might have used those weapons I made, on whoever dared mock me.
I was brought back to the present when I felt Elaina's hand brush against chest. I glanced down at her, noticing she now had a smile on her face, though her eyes were still closed.
"You're so comfortable." She whispered.
A low chuckle escaped my lips which caused her to open one brown eye.
"It's true. Who needs a pillow when your chest is so comfortable."
"You are a very strange woman."
"Aww, but you love me for it." came her response.
"Who told you that?"
I felt and heard her laugh as she looked up at me.
"A little while ago, you said you loved me."
"I was clearly drunk!"
A lopsided grin came from her face causing me to smile back at her, as I tenderly caressed her cheek
"Drunk on something, alright." She murmured, watching me with a smirk on her face.
"I would like to hear that song you sung earlier."
Elaina looked a little taken aback and I wondered what the matter was.
"Truth of the matter is," She said a little quietly for my liking "until today, I had completely forgotten that song had even existed."
"Because of Zeus."
Elaina nodded her head.
"The memory lapses are still tripping me up."
"Elaina, do not force yourself to remember. Your past will come back to you, in its own time."
"I know, though if it wasn't for that females voice, I would never have thought to sing at all."
I look at her with concern.
"What female voice?"
She then explained how this voice told her to sing to the dragon.
"As soon as I heard her voice, I knew exactly what to do," carried on Elaina "I wonder who she is."
"Maybe you should speak to your father, he knows everything." I remarked, remembering earlier when he eavesdropped on Smaug's innocence.
"Perhaps later, I just want to relax for a while."
"I like the sound of that," I murmured, pulling her towards me "we can relax together, for a little while at least."
"Hmm." was all Elaina said before I kissed her.
She broke the kiss with a smile on her face, before she sang the song I had heard earlier.
'A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain
Softly blows o'er lullaby bay.
I found I could listen to Elaina sing for hours, she had a lovely singing voice. The song she sang was unusual, but I quite liked it. Though it sounded sad, it had a message in there.
That no matter what happens, things will work themselves out. I hoped that would be true, for I had no idea where this road was now leading us and I did not like that in the slightest.
A/N: The song Hushabye Mountain is taken from the film 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.