A.N. Welcome to another chapter! Thank you all for reading. ^_^
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original characters and plot points.
Going to bed that night had been difficult. Thorin had seen the look in Danica's eyes, and felt the desire growing between them. By the look in Bilbo's eyes, he had been aware, but remained blessedly discreet. There had been some distraction during dinner, and while they washed and prepared for bed, but the need to touch her returned with a vengeance when the time came for sleep. He stayed up with Bilbo for a bit to smoke in the mild, summer air, so Danica was already asleep by the time he went in. She was wearing only a shift, and had fallen asleep on the edge of the bed; a clear invitation for him to join her.
Though it pained him, he had to decline. He was far too affected by her to sleep so close. As gently as possible, he inched her toward the center of the bed. Once she settled, eyes remaining closed, he took his place on the floor, and did his best to sleep. Dawn rose in what seemed like the blink of an eye due to his and Danica's combined restlessness. With the dark circles of fatigue, and healing bruises on their faces, he was sure they looked less than presentable. Thankfully, the salve Bilbo had helped a bit, and breakfast brought some color back into Danica's cheeks.
"When do you think Gandalf will get here?" she asked, after second breakfast had gone by. Frodo had already gone off, hoping to meet the wizard on the road.
"Whenever he decides to get here," Bilbo responded with a chuckle. "There is no accounting for a wizard's sense of time,"
Thorin had found some peace reading through a few of the hobbit's books, but Danica couldn't settle. Even when Bilbo holed himself up in his study, she paced through the halls, tidying up some of the copious piles of books and papers. Every time there was a knock on the door, she jumped, and hastened to one of the windows to see who it was. Bilbo was not as excited about the would-be visitors. He yelled at a few of them, and grumbled the rest of the time. As Danica did another pass through the living room, where Thorin had been reading, he reached an arm out, snagging her around the waist. Losing her balance, she ended up on his lap, which had not been his plan, but at least kept her from pacing.
"Take a breath," he suggested when she tried to stand back up, apologizing.
She looked down at him, cheeks flushing slightly, but nodded, and did as he said. "I'm sorry. I just can't seem to calm down,"
"Really? You hid it so well," the dry sarcasm in his tone had her frowning, until he smiled. "Try not to worry. Whatever happens next, you will be not alone,"
Another knock had her jumping slightly, but she stayed where she was, craning her neck to see out the window. Thorin suspected this may be Gandalf, but waited a moment.
"No thank you!" Bilbo's irate voice echoed. "We don't want any more visitors, well-wishers, or distant relations!"
"And what about very old friends?" the deep voice had both Thorin and Danica rising to their feet, joining Bilbo as he hurried to open the door.
Thorin and Danica remained inside while Bilbo and Gandalf greeted each other just outside the door. Still laughing, Bilbo brought the wizard through the foyer, offering refreshment like the good host he was. Once Gandalf insisted on tea, he turned, and caught sight of them. For a moment, his eyes widened, and then a large, relieved smile spread across his face.
"Well, I'll be," laughing as he had with Bilbo, he shook Thorin's hand, and pulled Danica in for a hug. "You have no idea just how pleased I am to see you,"
"It is good to see you as well," Thorin responded honestly. Seeing Gandalf lifted a huge weight off of his chest. "There is much we need to discuss,"
Gandalf nodded. "I imagine there is. Why don't we follow Bilbo to the kitchen?"
Tea and food were prepared, then laid out at the dining room table, since the kitchen would be cramped for all of them. Gandalf listened intently as Bilbo and Thorin explained what had happened over the past couple of days.
"So, this is where you two ended up," he mused, then looked at Danica. "You must not remember much about me,"
"I am afraid not," Danica admitted apologetically. "I have regained some memories, but they are very limited,"
Gandalf's brows rose. "Already?" he looked at Thorin, a clear question in his eyes.
"Her dreams," Thorin confirmed. "I can now also recall everything until Mirkwood, but Bilbo told us everything that happened,"
"Well, that is something at least,"
"What did you mean?" Danica asked suddenly. "When you said 'this is where you ended up?'"
"Ah, yes. That is a bit of a story,"
He whipped out his pipe, and settled into his seat. He told them how the enemy had been looking for Danica, wanting to use her knowledge and power of moving through dreams. When Thorin mentioned how difficult a time she was having remembering anything of the future, Gandalf chuckled, appreciating the irony. However, it wouldn't make her any safer. He told them how he, Elrond, and Galadriel had planned to send her back home, but someone else had tried to take her first. They still weren't sure who had been behind it, but they had barely been able to send her somewhere else. Unfortunately, they hadn't been able to control, or even know when or where she'd gone.
"We also didn't have the strength to send both of you," Gandalf said, with a particular look at Thorin.
"Then how am I here?"
At this, the wizard smiled. "It appears your wife could not, and would not live without you,"
Thorin looked at Danica with wonder, as her eyes widened.
"I brought him here?" she couldn't believe it, but Thorin could.
"You have more power in you than any of us expected," Gandalf said, still smiling. "I think it could be what led to your amnesia, though. Before then, you had only walked through dreams, and seen the future. To travel through time, and carry someone with you was too much at once. To be honest, I'm amazed you survived,"
These words had Thorin's heart dropping. He thought of the blood on her face when they'd first woken up.
"Could it be dangerous for her to use those powers again?"
Gandalf pondered that for a moment, his wiry brows drawn close. "I believe it was your journey to the future that took your memories, and any travel through time, or between worlds could kill you if you attempted it on your own. However, your dreams haven't seemed to cause any adverse effects, have they?"
Danica shook her head, but there was something hiding in her eyes. When both Thorin and Gandalf raised a brow at her, she caved.
"I tried to force some memories yesterday, and it brought on a migraine. But, maybe, with your help, it would be easier,"
"It may…" Gandalf puffed a bit on his pipe. "May as well try,"
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Bilbo asked, sharing Thorin's concern.
"I need to try," Danica said with determination, more to convince Thorin than Bilbo.
Though it made him uneasy, Thorin nodded. Taking that as all the permission they needed, Danica faced Gandalf while he put his pipe down.
"Give me your hands," Gandalf held out his own, then grasped hers when she held them out.
They both closed their eyes and were silent for a while. Thorin and Bilbo glanced between them and each other nervously. Despite the worry, it seemed to be going just fine, until Danica's brows suddenly furrowed with invisible effort. She began to quiver ever so slightly, starting with her hands. Thorin's first instinct was to rip her away, but Bilbo put up a warning hand.
"It may be more dangerous to pull her out of whatever they are doing,"
Gritting his teeth, Thorin crossed his arms, but moved closer to Danica. Sweat broke out across her brow, and the frown deepened. Gandalf's face had also pulled into a frown, but he didn't seem to be in any distress. It wasn't until a small bit of blood trickled from Danica's nose that Thorin finally interceded. He put a hand on each of their arms, and shook slightly.
"Gandalf, you need to stop. This is hurting Danica," he spoke softly, but firmly, still thinking about Bilbo's warning.
Neither of them moved, and the blood was beginning to flow more freely. Feeling like he had no other choice, Thorin shook them harder.
"Gandalf! Enough!"
The wizard's eyes snapped open, and he released Danica, who dragged in a wheezing gasp before her eyes opened as well. Thorin caught her when she teetered dangerously to the side, nearly falling out of her seat. Once he had her sitting up again, he took the handkerchief Bilbo offered, and tried to staunch the flow of blood.
"Are you alright?" he asked, brushing one hand over her brow, finding it cold and clammy.
She gave the barest of nods, but could barely keep her eyes open, and her skin was a frightening shade of white. Bilbo bustled around them, providing more tea, and a cup of what smelled like wine.
"Let me help her," Gandalf offered, leaning forward.
"No," Thorin growled. "It was your 'help' that put her in this condition in the first place,"
The air around them grew tense as Gandalf glared at him. "And I can get her out of it. If you don't let me help her, she will be bleeding and in pain for the rest of the day,"
Very much wanting to bury his fist in the old man's face, Thorin glared back.
"Remember how he healed you after your fight with Azog on the cliff?" Bilbo reminded, to which Thorin sighed through his nose.
"Alright," he moved aside so Gandalf could put his hands on Danica's head.
She closed her eyes and leaned into Gandalf, relaxing as he spoke some words none of them understood. When he pulled away, she lifted her head, her eyes clearer as she opened them. As she took her hand away from her nose, the blood seemed to have stopped as well.
"Thank you," she breathed.
Gandalf smiled and nodded, but Thorin was still practically vibrating with anger.
"Never again," he said. "You are never to do that again,"
"But it worked," Danica protested. "I don't have everything yet, but I can remember meeting you, and a couple of the dreams you told me about. I still don't really know any of the tales I used to know, but-"
"It doesn't matter. It is not worth it to put your life in danger,"
"But if I can remember what's supposed to happen-"
"No!" his voice had come out sharper than he'd intended, and he turned away before his anger could get the best of him. He looked out the small kitchen window while Gandalf spoke.
"I think Thorin is right," he said. "Your mind seems to be blocking certain information, and perhaps it's for the best. With time, I am sure the memories will return on their own,"
There was silence for a moment, then scraping sounds as Danica pushed away from the table and walked out. Thorin pinched the bridge of his nose as pressure built between his eyes.
"She isn't going to make this easy, is she?"
Bilbo chuckled. "She never does,"
P.S. 😊 Comments and reviews welcome!
