A.N. Yay for another chapter! Been feeling good about this, so I'm optimistic about finishing the story within the next couple of months.

At first, there was nothing but darkness, then fear. Had Sauron taken hold of her already? Doing what she could to keep the panic at bay, she focused on Thorin and Erebor. As light broke through the darkness, she couldn't help thinking of Frerin. In an instant, the scene around her cleared and solidified.

The nursery was filled with a few children playing one side of the room, while babies slept in cradles on the other side. Beside one of the cradles stood Thorin, a tiny bundle in his arms. He swayed lightly, humming a tune under his breath. Dark circles painted around his eyes spoke of exhaustion and grief. Gravity pulled her to them, the two who made up her heart and soul. When she saw Frerin's black hair peeking out the blankets, she nearly went to her knees.

"I'm so sorry," her voice broke with emotion too great to control.

Thorin's head shot up, eyes wide. He searched around the room, seeing straight through her.

"Danica?" rough and raw, the word was barely audible.

"I'm here," a small sob slipped through, temporarily rendering her speechless.

His eyes continued to roam, but they remained close to where she stood. "What happened? It feels like you've been…gone,"

All she wanted was to wrap her arms around them. At the very least, have him see her, but here was probably not the best place to appear out of nowhere.

"There's an Easterling Army in Withering heath planning a sneak attack on Erebor. They have people in their number who could keep them hidden until it's too late to stop. Only I can make it possible to stop them,"

With a tenderness she'd never seen him use, he set Frerin back in his cradle. The tiny baby didn't so much as stir. Every fiber in Danica's body ached to hold him.

"Can you follow me?" Thorin asked. "I don't wish to seem to be talking to myself,"

Though he couldn't see her, she nodded. "Yes,"

Walking through the mountain while invisible left Danica on edge. Tension and apprehension filled the air. Everyone was preparing for the siege they knew was coming. How long until the enemy arrived? Danica had been so immersed in everything that she'd lost track of time.

Once upon a time, she would have been by Thorin's side on the battlefield. No longer could she think like a warrior. She was a mother who had to survive for her son. The thought of Thorin fighting without her was yet another painful reality. Now, the best she could hope for was to return to her body before the worst of the fighting began.

They reached their private quarters, and Thorin closed and locked the door behind them. The place felt haunted. She wondered if he even slept in their bed anymore.

"Are you still here?" he asked.

"I am,"

He sighed, sinking down into a chair. The last time Danica had seen him like this was after Moria. She couldn't stand it. Deciding to throw caution to the wind, she forced more power until she was sure she visible. She moved around until she was kneeling in front of him.

"You've scared me to death," he admitted. "I heard you speak to me. Why would say this was the only way? Did you know about what Nathir would do?"

The urge to crumble and sob was almost too strong to overcome. "I did not know what Nathir planned. It wasn't until I was unconscious that I found him, and he explained it all to me,"

He listened while she spoke, eyes dark with fury. The more she spoke, the more she realized just how dire their situation was. Erebor, Mirkwood, and Lorien were the gates to the west. If any one of them fell, the damage that would be done could be irreversible.

"The risk for you is too great," Thorin argued when she mentioned the ring bearer. "You may be using someone else's body while awake, but in this state, you are the only one in danger, especially since you do not have the Arkenstone. We can find a way to confront this problem without throwing you so close to the fire,"

"I wish that were true, but so long as Nathir's sister is their captive, they have the advantage. She could fill the valley between Dale and Erebor with mist, leaving everyone blind and vulnerable. Despite Sauron's forcing having to split between the North and Mirkwood, you will still be greatly outnumbered. Any possibility of inside attack, even a small one, is too much,"

Thorin stood, walking to the fireplace. "You cannot expect me to do nothing while you do this,"

She followed, moving into his line of sight. "All you can do is take care of yourself and our son. Counsel Fili and Dain as you all prepare for the siege. The moment Tara is out of the Easterling's grasp, I will return with Tala and Kayli,"

"And Nathir?" his eyes smoldered dangerously.

"You know as well as I that Tala and Kayli would do whatever possible to bring him back, even if it means a fight. Being delayed by such is the last thing I would want, but I think we also know how well they would listen to me if I attempted to stop them,"

Looking into the flames, Thorin breathed out slowly through his nose. "We don't have time for that. If they had only waited to talk to me or Fili, there would have been a clear course of action,"

Danica thought for a moment. Whether Nathir planned an escape or not, it would be too risky to have Tara back out in the open where someone could take her again. The Easterlings would already be on their tail, seeking to regain their prize.

"I'll speak to Nathir. He may already know that running away with Tara would bring even more danger to her. None of us want to risk the enemy using her. Her best chance is to come back with us. However," she leveled him with a stern look, "I don't want her to be used for her power. As far as any military leaders are concerned, she was a hostage we found while eliminating the threat of the secret army,"

To her surprise, Thorin smiled. "If I hadn't spent so much time wishing you didn't have to use your own powers, I may argue with you. Agreed. She will find nothing but safe refuge here until after the war,"

Heart warmed, Danica answered his smile. "Thank you,"

"I would do anything for you," smile falling, he lifted a hand until it rested next to her ghostly cheek. "If it were up to me, you would return this instant, damn the consequences,"

She could almost feel the warmth of him. "Trust me when I say that's what I want more than anything in the world. But Tara is not our only concern here,"

She hadn't realized she was touching her throat until Thorin's eyes tracked the movement.

"You mentioned the man bearing my grandfather's ring. Terror was in your eyes. What, exactly, was he able to do?"

"What only Sauron and Smaug were able to do," she swallowed. "He senses and sees me when others can't, and even touched me. I don't know how it's possible, other than the power of the ring he wears. When I woke, Gwyn's neck was tender,"

Thorin's eyes remained on her neck. "We need to check your body. Make sure you haven't been affected,"

It wasn't a possibility she'd thought of considering Gwyn's body had already been marred. However, she followed as he hastily made his way to the infirmary. People bowed as he went, eyes sympathetic. She could only imagine how that must grate on his nerves. Sympathy and pity were far too close in his mind to accept either one easily. His focus was solely on their destination, and so didn't give anyone else a passing glance.

Her body was set apart from everyone else by curtains. Instead of a cot, there was a bed covered with fine blankets. Looking down at herself, Danica felt sick. Her skin was pale, her hair brushed away from her face. Someone had been taking the time to keep her and her bedding clean.

"DÍs and I have taken turns coming in here," Thorin said quietly. "We've also made sure Frerin has been here, laying on you,"

Such grief. Their family already torn apart by this war.

"Thank you," she wanted to apologize again, but that would only add to his pain.

Thorin grabbed a candle off the table beside her bed and held it closer to her sleeping form. There, barely visible, were the faint red marks in the shape of a hand. Danica's heart plummeted. It was not only Gwyn's body being affected, but her own. Thorin cursed darkly, setting the candle aside.

"You need to return. Now,"

"I can't,"

"How are you supposed to fight this?!" he kept his voice down, but the ferocity heightened.

"I don't know!" she cried. "I don't know, and it terrifies me. I don't want to do this, to face that man, but who else can? The elves are fighting for their homes, and nearly everyone else has to focus on the fighting in the south. Even if all goes according to the stories I know, this man could deal a fatal blow to the north. I can't allow that,"

"Damnit, Danica, this shouldn't be your responsibility!"

"But it is," she sighed. "Please, Thorin. I need your support. I can't do this without you,"

He looked down at her sleeping form again, then her projection. "I'm always with you. Promise me you won't put yourself in unnecessary danger. What you are attempting to accomplish is bad enough,"

She nodded. "I promise. For you, and for Frerin. Being away from you two is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life,"

He moved closer, enough that she would have been able to feel his heat in physical form. "Come back to me, Dani. I need you by my side,"

"As soon as I can,"

Leaving him again shattered her heart. She imagined herself down into the treasury. Once there, she let all her rage and pain fly on a scream that no one would hear. She allowed herself the time to empty herself of her strongest emotions. This was the only chance she would get for such release. From here on out, she couldn't allow herself to be bogged down.

Steadier now, she decided to make one more visit before leaving the mountain.

The nursery was quiet, its residents mostly napping. No one could see Danica as she crossed the room to Frerin's cradle. He was awake, lightly cooing as he looked up at the mobile above him where goats and horses danced and twirled around each other. A decoration made to both soothe and entertain.

In the time she'd been gone, he'd grown so much, looking now like a baby born full-term. How much more would she miss of his growth? His first laugh? She couldn't bear the thought.

"Your cradle should be in our room," she lamented softly. "At the end of our bed. Your days should be spent in my arms. When I return, I promise that's how it will be,"

As Thorin had with her, she let her hand rest beside their son's cheek.

"I love you, my baby. More than life,"

Frerin cooed again, but his eyes, so like his father's, shifted to her. Goosebumps rippled down her arms. She could have sworn he smiled, his little arms lifting into the air.

"Soon," her throat was so tight the word was a croak. She swallowed, then said again, "Soon."

It should have weakened her, but the time with her family fortified her. When she brought herself back to the Easterling camp, she was determined, focused. No matter how the soldier with the ring scared her, she had her family to fight for. Nothing could match that.

The soldiers buzzed with activity, rushing to clean and pack up. Shit. They were already moving out. Catching as many men as possible, she pushed different distractions in their brains. One felt sure he had forgotten something and wouldn't stop until he found it. Another felt stomach pangs from breakfast and couldn't move from where he squatted behind a tree. Slowly, but surely, the camp fell into chaos.

"What is going on here?!"

Danica's blood froze. It was him.

"Apologies, General. There appears to be an epidemic of dawdling in a few of our regiments," another soldier explained, frazzled and confused. "Each excuse is different, but none will be swayed from whatever has possessed them,"

The general crossed his arms, a slow smile lifting his lips. "She's here,"

Danica sprinted away. If she continued to use her powers, it could lead him to her. Before she left, she searched for those guarding Tara. She had to be careful with them. If she altered their thoughts too quickly, the general would notice. Instead, she searched for any sympathy they may have, and exploited it. If she could make it grow slowly, that would provide the opportunity they would need.

"Dreamwalker! Where are you?"

The general's voice was casual, taunting. A hunter in the midst of pursuit he felt confident would end in his victory.

"I know it is you who has sabotaged my men. Well done. Futile, as it has barely slowed us down, but you are growing in your gifts. The Dark Lord will be pleased,"

Keeping her distance, she peered around one of the last remaining tents. The general prowled leisurely through the camp, shrewd and deadly. Nausea hit her as she saw the stained rag he was using to wipe blood from his hands and face. How many men were now dead because of her?

"I can sense you. Your magic is pure and light. A fresh breeze in the darkness of this army. You cannot hide,"

For the first time, Dancia noticed the dark haze emanating off him, centering on the corrupted ring. She would love to cut it from his finger.

"Ah, perhaps not so pure. Anger bleeds through you," he shook his dark, wavy hair out of his equally dark eyes. "Just think what you could do with that anger. The destruction you could bring about,"

"Not a chance," she whispered.

His head whipped her way, eyes instantly searing into her. His lazy smile turned feral.

"There you are,"

With a wild gasp, she threw herself back into Gwyn's body. Kayli was there, speaking comforting words to ease the panic that clutched tightly to Danica, whose eyes looked frantically around them.

"What happened?" Tala asked, axe out and ready.

"The General. He can sense me when I use my power. I was able to cause some delays, but they're getting ready to move,"

"Tara?"

Danica shook her head at Nathir's inquest. "I wasn't able to get to her. I have begun working on her guards, so let's pray it will be enough. When the time is right, we need to case a distraction. I can't get Tara out while the General is trained on me,"

"There are just four of us," Tala relaxed his grip on the axe. "How could we cause enough distraction to be of help? We'd be no more than flies buzzing in a horse's ear,"

"And once they're out in open terrain, we stand no chance of catching them off guard," Kayli said bleakly.

Standing to stretch, Danica gazed at the sick trees providing them shelter. She could give away their position, putting herself up as bait and draw some of the army into the forest, but what then? As Tala said, there were only four of them. There was a possibility of aggravating the spiders as well, but there was no guarantee the spiders wouldn't side with the Easterlings.

A bird took flight behind her, startling her. She hated how unsettling this place was, and how frayed her own nerves were that a bird would scare her so. Takin a calming breath, she watched as a single, black feather drifted to the mossy floor. Brow puling together, she bent to pick it up. A smile tugged at her lips.

"Nathir, I'm going to need more of that sleeping potion,"