A.N. Hello everyone! Happy almost Spring! We have three birthdays this month in our house, so things are going to be pretty crazy. Hope everyone is doing well!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and plot points.
They quickly dressed, gathered their belongings, and went out into the cold night. Miraculously, they were able to rent a boat to get across the lake. Danica had barely been able to remain awake, still so tired because of her dream. The moment she got into the boat, she was asleep again. Thorin could only hope it was a peaceful sleep. He, Dwalin, Stonehelm, and Tala rowed as hard as they dared, feeling vulnerable in the dark. Thankfully, the sky began to lighten as soon as they reached the shore. It was slow going, due to everyone's fatigue, but no one wanted to stop.
"We should bypass Dale, and go through the valley," Dwalin said. "If anyone is still following us, or waiting in Dale, we may be able to sneak by,"
"If we did that, the enemy would have the high ground," Tala pointed out, earning himself a glare from Dwalin.
"The valley will be faster," Danica said weakly. "If my most recent dream is right, we should make it to the gate without incident,"
As usual, she was right. Though brutal tension followed their every step, all was quiet and peaceful. Night had fallen again by the time they reached the gate, and snow flurried around them. Immense relief filled Thorin as they walked out from the cold, and into the warmth of the mountain. A couple of the sentries heralded their return, including that of "The Lady Danica." Upon hearing her name, Danica blushed, but kept her head up. A hush fell over the entry hall, and all movement ceased. There were only a few dwarves milling about, considering the lateness of the hour, but Thorin knew it would be enough to make his wife uncomfortable. When the silence finally broke, it was with whispers. Every eye was on them, but mostly on Danica.
Thorin led the way to the private council chamber, knowing that someone had already told Fili of their arrival. Before leaving for Rivendell, they had agreed to meet, and briefly discuss important information. With the assassination attempt, there was certainly plenty to discuss. Upon entering the chamber, Danica went straight to a chair, looking like death warmed over. Her skin was beyond pale, and the area around her eyes was darkening to a purple.
"How are you holding up?" he asked her softly.
"Probably about as good as I look," she replied with a groan. "Once we are able to, I feel like I could sleep for two whole days,"
"We can find someone to take you to our quarters," he suggested, hoping she would agree, but knowing how unlikely it was. It was no surprise, therefore, when she shook her head.
"I want to see Fili, and it's important that we are all here to speak with him,"
Thorin let it go, hoping Di̒s would show up as well. The second she saw Danica, she would also try to get her to rest. He and Danica had already announced the pregnancy to their group, and he had made sure to send a message to Fili and Di̒s. His sister would have had his head otherwise. When his nephew and sister walked in, life came back into Danica's eyes. She was back upon her feet, moving toward them.
"Well, look what the cat dragged in," Di̒s said, but was smiling from ear to ear.
"I've missed you as well, Di̒s,"
The women embraced, and then Di̒s' eyes and hands went straight to Danica's belly. "How far along are you?"
Though clearly unsure about the contact, Danica continued to smile. "About 29 weeks,"
Confusion briefly passed across Di̒s' face. "I forgot that you all counted in weeks instead of months. It should be interesting to see just how long your pregnancy goes. You should sit down now, though. You look terrible,"
"Before you do, I want to say congratulations," beaming, Fili hugged Danica, then kissed her on the cheek. "I could not be happier for the both of you,"
"Thank you," Thorin chorused with Danica, accepting a hug from Fili as well. He couldn't help the wide smile that lifted his lips. They were safely home, where his child would be born, and raised.
After all the greetings were done, they sat around a table, seriousness descending. First and foremost, Stonehelm and Gloin reported all that had happened at Elrond's council. Fili was just as saddened by the hobbit's involvement as Thorin had been. It seemed that halflings were destined to be intertwined with the fates of Sauron, and Middle Earth. For the first time, Thorin and Danica spoke openly about the return of all of her memories, including those of the future. Everyone was dismayed as Danica detailed all she could about the war, and the siege that would befall them and Dale. It was difficult to accept that they would only be able to focus on the Easterlings, when Sauron's forces would most heavily hit the south. However, according to Danica, the Easterling armies would so greatly outnumber them, that the siege would last many days.
"What of Moria?" Fili asked. "We have long suspected that something went wrong,"
Danica gave Thorin a sad look, then turned her eyes to Dwalin. "I'm sorry. They've been gone for a while. They were overwhelmed by goblins, and no one survived,"
Dwalin's jaw clenched, his eyes glistening with tears. Thorin could feel the same stab of pain and grief deep in his heart.
"How did my brother die?" Dwalin's voice was low and gruff; not completely controlled.
When Danica's breath caught in her throat, Thorin reached under the table and took her hand, hoping to give her some strength. Dwalin wouldn't be able to grieve, or move on until he knew exactly what Balin had gone through.
"He was exploring parts of Moria that had not yet been inhabited. A goblin shot him, and the wound was fatal. Ori was at his bedside, and he died before the goblins ambushed the others. There was enough time to bury him in a tomb,"
Dwalin gave a solemn nod. "And Ori? Oin?"
A couple of tears fell down Danica's cheeks. "Oin was killed by a monster outside the hidden door. Ori…Ori was one of the last to die, and rests beside Balin's tomb. Gimli will see them when the Fellowship travels through Moria,"
The depth of grief they all felt was unfathomable. Thorin saw Balin's gentle smile at his and Danica's wedding, Ori writing in his books in the libraries of Erebor, and Oin tending to their wounds during the quest. All three had been gentle souls, and did not deserve the fates they met.
"We will hold a memorial for all those who have been lost," Fili declared softly. "I will make sure everyone knows, and the mourning horn will be blown. Is there anything else we need to discuss before we adjourn?"
"There was an assassination attempt by some Easterlings while we were in Esgaroth," Thorin stated plainly. "The only reason we knew they were coming was because Danica had another one of her dreams, and was able to warn us,"
Fili blew out a breath. "The Easterlings have been getting bolder. Their armies may still be a couple of months away, but scouts have been attacking our people on the road, as well as anyone else trying to enter or leave the region,"
Fatigue had deepened the circles beneath Danica's eyes, but she focused on Fili. "If my abilities are returning, I may be able to see any future attacks,"
"So long as you are not putting yourself in danger," Fili said with a smile. "And since you look weary enough to drop where you sit, why don't you let my mother help you get settled?"
Much to everyone's relief, she nodded, and accepted the arm Di̒s offered to help her walk.
"I will be there in a few minutes," Thorin told her.
Once they were out of the room, Gloin and Dwalin followed, their faces long and dark. Thorin rested a hand on Dwalin's shoulder, letting him know that he was not alone, though he knew that wouldn't help ease the pain. With only Stonehelm, Tala, Kayli, and Fili left, Thorin turned to his nephew.
"We will need to gather our army, as well as those from the Iron Hills,"
Fili nodded, then rubbed his eyes. "Dain has already been preparing for war. I will also send messages to Thranduil, and Brand. The men of Dale and Esgaroth will need to band together. Thranduil will have his own battle on his hands,"
"At least we have some time," Kayli said. "We would have known about their approach no matter what, but now we will be more prepared,"
"Which we will need," Stonehelm grumbled. "Who knows how long Sauron has been working with the Easterlings,"
"We'll be ready," Tala declared. "Even if they outnumber us, we can outsmart them, and we have more fire for battle than they could ever compete with. Each dwarf can fight better than ten of their men, and if that fails, the mountain is impregnable. We could protect the innocents in here, and starve out the enemy,"
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Thorin mused. "But as we get closer to this, I do not want Danica to use her abilities, especially now that she is pregnant,"
"I understand your concern, Cousin," Stonehelm began, "but we need her. The assassination attempt showed that the enemy is doing al they can to catch us off guard,"
Thorin ground his teeth, fighting for patience. "I cannot tell you the number of times those dreams have put her in real, physical danger. The Arkenstone may help protect her mind from Sauron, but her body is often at stake. Since that body is now also carrying our child, it cannot be risked,"
"You are forgetting what she was able to do in Esgaroth," Stonehelm countered. "There may be a chance that she could do that to the leaders of the Easterling armies,"
"Which would only put more of a target on her! If Sauron decided to put his full strength into breeching her mind, I do not know if he could be stopped,"
"We may not have much of a choice," Fili pointed out calmly. "Sometimes, her dreams come to her, and take over, whether she wills it, or not,"
It was not the reminder Thorin wanted, but it was true. "Just don't ask her to try it herself. Please,"
Uncle and nephew watched each other, and then Fili gave in with a nod.
"Thank you," Thorin sighed.
"None of us want her, or you child in danger. Now, considering how late it is, I suggest we all get cleaned up, and head for bed. There will be much to do in the coming weeks,"
Stress and anger still weighed heavily on Thorin, so he left without protest, and headed straight to his quarters. When Fili had become king, he had kept his quarters, taking down the wall between his room and Kili's to make a larger living quarters. Therefore, Thorin's had remained empty until his return. He hoped this would make Danica more comfortable, as it would officially be coming home. She must have felt the same way, for she was already in a peaceful sleep when he walked in. Di̒s was still there, stoking the fire to keep the room warm.
"I helped her to bathe as much as she was able, but the poor thing was falling asleep on her feet," his sister informed him softly. "While she began to fall asleep, I felt along her womb, and the babe is doing very well. Nice, strong kicks, but definitely larger than our race would expect so early. Her due date is probably going to be more similar to that of her race,"
"So long as she and the baby remain healthy, that is all that matters to me," Thorin replied, though the thought of her delivering any time soon gave him plenty of anxiety. "We can continue to have our healers and midwives checking in on her,"
Di̒s stood, and moved closer to the door. "As much as we can, we need to keep her away from war meetings. The stress will not be good for her or the baby. It will likely drive her insane, but I'm also sure she will do what is best for her child,"
"Let us hope that her dreams cooperate as well," Thorin breathed.
With a sympathetic smile, Di̒s patted his cheek, then kissed it. "I am happy for you, brother. This is the life you always deserved, and one I have prayed for you,"
Tenderness and affection had him pulling her in for a firm hug. "Thank you,"
Once she had left, he undressed, bathed, then joined Danica in bed. So deep in sleep was she, that she never stirred. He brushed some hair back from her face, and prayed for them to make it through what was coming.
