A.N. Actually been a little busy recently, which is nice. Getting close to being able to have my eldest join school, which will be a very bittersweet moment. Love having my kids with me, but also would love to have a couple of hours to be productive without interruption. Also, I realize that these last few chapters have probably been a bit slow, but I promise; we are getting very close to action!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters, and plot points.
For the first few weeks, the road home presented no difficulties in the way of danger, or delays. While cold and snowy, there were no serious storms to bar their way. However, Danica's body began to change rapidly after they crossed the mountains, and came into Grimbeorn's land. Her stomach swelled, which made her riding and walking quite a bit slower than normal. She was exceedingly grateful for the dresses of the time, which could easily be adjusted for comfort, and remained flattering. Before long, though, no amount of adjusting would be able to hide her bump. Both she and Thorin kept waiting, and hoping for the baby to kick, but all Danica had felt was the fluttering of it rolling.
Traveling through Mirkwood was far less eventful than her first trip, but still tiring. Darkness lay on the trees, and keeping one's wits was a test. Thankfully, they were able to keep to the path, and found themselves on the other side within a few days. Nerves began to settle in Danica's stomach as the Lonely Mountain came into view. What would the dwarves think of her returning with Thorin, after once again time traveling, and now being clearly pregnant? It weighed heavily on her, keeping her quiet as they left the forest, and arrived at Esgaroth. The lake town had been rebuilt to its former glory, outshining the shabby place she had known.
"What has you so silent and withdrawn these past couple of days?" Thorin asked as they readied for bed. They had checked in to a local inn, glad for the rest, and warmth of a bed, as it was now deep winter.
"Do the dwarves in Erebor hate me?" her question was soft, and fearful.
"Why on earth would you think such a thing?" having stripped down to his tunic, Thorin pulled her onto the bed beside him.
Sensing reassurance coming, she quickly spoke, wanting to air out all of her concerns. "Just before we left, sixty years ago, I was the cause of the Mamradthi, and all the grief that went with it,"
"That was Fetir and Dain's doing," Thorin growled.
"But it happened because I am not only a daughter of man, but also from a different world," knowing he would try to interrupt her as she continued, she faced him, and put a hand up for his patience. "That, in and of itself, was already a problem. Now, there is the fact that I took their king away from them for sixty years, left with a wizard to go searching for answers in Gondor, disappeared again, and will now be returning pregnant. That is a lot for anyone to swallow without suspicions,"
Thorin sighed, and she knew that some of her concerns were valid. There must have already been some talk that reached his ears. She feared what else had been said that had been kept from him.
"There are many within the mountain who still respect, and adore you," he finally said. "You have proven your worth, so no one can question that. It helps that you will not be returning as queen,"
"Because you are no longer king," the guilt ached deep in her heart, and the pit of her stomach.
Warm fingers pushed some har back from her face, then brushed her cheek. "Do not let that sadden you. If I had remained king, it would have meant living without you. Having done that for only a year, I know I would not have been able to withstand it,"
She acted his kiss, but couldn't get the heaviness off her chest. "I have brought so much chaos,"
"True," Thorin smiled. "But I would not be alive without you, and neither would Fili, which means Kayli would even exist,"
Guilt came once more, but this time, it was for not considering the others. "You're right," she conceded. "Forgive me,"
"There is nothing to forgive," Thorin responded tenderly, resting his forehead against hers. "As for what others will think of you, they know that you are mine, and will continue to respect that. They also know that you are a warrior in your own right, and will likely be able to help with the coming war. If they do not respect you, they will have the entire royal family to deal with, including my sister,"
Danica laughed. She had forgotten that her sister-in-law would be there. "That should have everyone quaking in their boots,"
"Exactly," relaxing again, Thorin guided them to lay down, and wrapped his arms around her. "No matter what happens, you will not be alone, so don't fret,"
Knowing he was right, she closed her eyes, and snuggled into him. Then, she gasped.
"What is it? Are you alright?" instantly alert, Thorin sat up, searching her face for signs of pain or discomfort.
Moving quickly, afraid the moment would be gone, Danica took his hand, and placed it on the side of her stomach. A moment later, and a gentle rolling motion raised the flesh beneath their hands. Thorin released a slow, quiet breath of awe. They remained that way, silent and still, reveling in the feel of their child, alive and moving. Wetness stung at her eyes, and when she looked at Thorin, his were also glistening. Their foreheads touched, and, a moment later, the baby stilled.
"I think he went to sleep," she murmured, as if the baby was out, and in a crib.
Thorin leaned back to better see her face. "He?"
The corners of her mouth lifted. "I've always felt like he was a boy, though I can't explain why. He's going to be kind and gentle, but stubborn, like his father,"
"And his mother," Thorin retorted with a scoff. "You may be even more stubborn than me at times,"
Danica just laughed softly, knowing he was right. "Have you thought of any names yet?"
He continued to stroke her stomach, eyes following the trail of his fingers. "Frerin,"
Sadness tinted his tone. Laying her hand over his, Danica kissed his cheek.
"Frerin it is," she replied. "We've never really spoken of him; your brother,"
"I have tried, a few times but was never really able to. He looked like Fili, but was more like Kili, and I lost them both. Frerin died protecting me during the battle of Azanulbizar. Despite his mischievous and carefree nature, he understood duty, and was a fierce warrior. He was only 48…"
Half of what Kili was when he died. With the atmosphere so somber, Danica wanted to ask about more light-hearted stories, but her eyes were getting heavy. She was only able to give him some reassuring kisses before her body gave in to sleep.
It was clear, almost immediately, that this was no ordinary dream. Danica gave a small sigh, steeling herself against the fear that was rising in her. Yes, she had wanted the dreams to return, but now she questioned her judgment. After all, many of them had affected her body, and she was now carrying a baby. Would she be able to wake up if it got too dangerous? Trying to focus, she took in her surroundings. It was dark, but the moon shown through the clouds enough for her to see that she was still in Esgaroth. In fact, it looked to be the same night. Snow was gently falling, adding to the current layers of ice and snow. Yet…she couldn't feel the cold. Hopefully, that meant her body was safe.
Why was she here? Perhaps to reacquaint herself with her abilities? Still a little nervous, she closed her eyes, and thought of Thorin, hoping to bring him here. When she opened them, nothing had changed. Closing them again, she thought of her family home. Nothing. Lips pursing to one side, she began moving from whatever alley she was in. Whether it was the lack of her own power, or the purpose of the dream, she was not able to leave Esgaroth.
A soft shuffling sound directed her gaze up to the rooftops. Shadows were quickly hopping, and climbing from building to building. Cold fear instantly took Danica's breath. Though she didn't know how, she knew that those figures were headed toward her and Thorin. Running as quickly as she could, she followed them from the streets. As she feared, they went straight for the inn. She caught a break when they paused on the building beside the inn. All she could think about was sprinting in to wake Thorin, but she wasn't sure she would have the time. Just as her foot hit the first step, a shadow moved.
"Stop!" she cried, hoping to distract them.
All of the shadows froze, heads whipping around for the source of the yell. Late as it was, no one else was out, so Danica dared to move closer.
"Stay back!" she raised her voice even more, and was relieved when they looked to where she was standing, but couldn't see her. They seemed fairly spooked and unsure, but she didn't know if that was enough to keep them away. Any time she had to warn Thorin and the others was short. She closed her eyes, and in an instant, she found herself in Dwalin and Gloin's room. At least some of her control seemed to be returning.
"Wake up!" she said loudly, knowing how light of a sleeper Dwalin was.
On command, the burley dwarf snorted, then shot up, grabbing the axe under his pillow. "Who's there?!"
Gloin also snorted in his sleep, rolling around.
"Dwalin, it's Danica. I'm in a dream, which is why you can't see me. Don't ask questions. We're in danger. Someone is on the rooftops, here to attack us,"
Dwalin kicked Gloin's leg, and bolted from the room. Danica closed her eyes, trying to wake up, but couldn't.
"Well, crap," she breathed, then ran to hers and Thorin's room, just ahead of Gloin. Dwalin had yelled a warning to Tala, Stonehelm, and Kayli in the hall, so everyone was on the move.
They all arrived in her room, not a moment too soon. Thorin had heard all of the commotion, grabbed Orcrist, and was currently trying to wake Danica. Before she could appreciate just how strange the situation was, an arrow broke through the window, sinking into the bed beside Danica's arm.
"Help me!" Thorin cried desperately, beginning to move Danica. "She won't wake!"
"I'm here!" she responded. "I'm stuck in a dream!"
The window exploded as one of the assassins flew into the room, followed by three others. They moved wickedly fast, and their intent was clear; murder. Thorin cursed in Khuzdul, and managed to carry Danica's sleeping body to relative safety, surrounded by all the dwarves.
"We need to get out of here!" he exclaimed, blocking a few strikes from an assassin. "We're just as likely to hit one another as we are them!"
Through the chaos of the fight, a memory made its way into Danica's mind. Cold sickness swept over her as she recalled what had happened in Gondor, and the blood that was on her hands. If she could repeat it, it may be the only chance to save everyone. Gritting her teeth, she managed to get behind one of the assassins, and put her hands on his head. Miraculously, he stopped. Letting out a startled cry, he waved his blade around, but it passed right through her. She closed her eyes, but decided to try something other than taking his life.
'Leave, and do not stop until you return home,' she thought, hoping to send it into the man's head.
Much to her surprise, and everyone else's, the man relaxed, and then climbed calmly out of the window without a word. The fighting paused, and Danica quickly did the same to another assassin. He responded as the other had, and the remaining two called out in a language she did not understand. Thorin and Dwalin disarmed them, and brought them to their knees.
"Who are you?" Thorin demanded, Orcrist pressed against his prisoner's throat.
"Death to the dwarf who would be king, and his witch," one spat.
This earned him a punch in the face from Tala, but the assassin only smirked.
"The dark shadow is coming for you all. Our brethren have gathered numbers the likes of which you cannot possibly imagine. Not even your White Witch can help you,"
"When?" Dwalin growled. "If ye tell us when the army will come, we will make yer deaths swift,"
Both assassins chuckled, and then looked at each other. The one being held by Thorin nodded, and they both moved their jaws strangely.
"No!" Danica cried, but a moment too late. Both men had chewed something, and were now seizing.
Her eyes opened suddenly, and she heard the thud of the dead bodies hitting the floor.
"Poison," Gloin declared lowly.
"We need to leave," Kayli said, voice not entirely stable. "I doubt these are the only assassins tat have been sent,"
"Which makes it that much more surprising that we've come this far without incident,"
They all started at Danica's voice, and Thorin knelt to help her sit. Her head was pounding and swimming at the same time.
"Are you alright?" he asked, concern etched deeply into his features.
"Drained but alright," she replied, and felt an easy roll in her womb, which had her breathing a sigh of relief. "The baby seems fine as well. It is only my mind that was affected,"
"What happened?" Gloin questioned after he helped Dwalin and Stonehelm move the assassin's bodies. Tala and Kayli had gone downstairs to speak with the innkeeper. "Why did those other two leave?"
Danica looked up at Thorin, and saw the question in his eyes as well. There was no other choice but to tell them, and yet, she began to fear what they would think of her. Especially after what had happened in Gondor. The assassin had called her a witch, and she wasn't sure if he was wrong.
"While I was dreaming, I was able to…influence the men's thoughts," she began hesitantly.
For some reason, Dwalin looked amused. "And what did ye tell them to do?"
"I told them to go home,"
Dwalin and Gloin laughed, and even Thorin's face relaxed.
"Well Lass," Stonehelm said "I'm glad yer on our side,"
