The air in the council room was thick with tension. Thorin sat between Fili and Dwalin, looking at the map on the table. Other dwarf leaders sat with them, including Dain, who was on Fili's other side.

"King Thranduil is barely able to keep the orcs from his halls," Fili tossed a small roll of parchment on the table. "Even if he had soldiers to spare, the likelihood of them making it through the blockade is slim to none. We have not yet received word from the other dwarf kingdoms aside from the Iron Hills. I believe it is safe to assume that they are fighting their own battles,"

"Grim tidings indeed," Dain said. "If the Woodland Realm is being overrun, our turn is not far off,"

"What news comes from Esgaroth?" Dwalin asked.

"King Brand is in contact with The Master, gathering able-bodied men to join the forces of Dale. They are preparing for evacuation,"

Fili nodded. "We will house all civilians in the mountain. This is the most defensible fortress in the North,"

"Tell them to hurry," a guard walked in with an aviary attendant behind him. "Word just arrived from the Iron Hills,"

The attendant handed a scroll to Fili. Nervous silence fell around the table as Fili read. Concern tightened his features, then he sighed.

"The Easterling army has crossed the Carnen,"

While the others mumbled amongst themselves, Thorin caught his nephew's eyes. Though steady, there was fear hiding in them. Thorin felt it as well. The armies of the North were as ready as they could be, but there was still no word from Kayli, Tala, or Danica. It was unlikely they'd make it home before the battle began. Fili looked back at the attendant.

"Send word back to them to send who they can, but to be vigilant about their own guard,"

"We have the weather on our side," Gloin said once the guard and attendant left. "Those Easterling bastards cannot face the ice and snow as we do. The frigid temperatures are holding on even as spring nears,"

"That may be so, but it would be foolish to let that make us arrogant," Thorin warned. "Sauron knows the world better than we could ever comprehend. He will have made certain his forces are prepared,"

"Speaking of those forces, what do we know of the army trying to ambush us from the west?" Dain inquired.

Thorin worked to keep his tone neutral as he answered, "No word."

"And the mist surrounding them is too thick for any of our ravens to see," Fili added. "However, we believe they're on the move,"

"Should we not send a battalion to engage them?" one of the Longbeard elders asked.

"It is too great a risk so long as they have the witch," Fili said regretfully. "We need every fighting man and dwarf here. For now, all we can do is guard every entrance, keep watch from the skies, and trust our people to do what they can,"

Little did the elders know that the enemy had Thrain's ring. Thorin had only told Fili, Gloin, Dain, and Dwalin. Dwalin and Thorin had fought viciously about whether or not to intervene. It was only when Thorin sent a raven to Radagast-who was Mahal knew where-asking for help that they came to an understanding. Though Fili had been right that they couldn't send even a small group, even a fool's hope placed in Radagast lightened the depression and helplessness he felt.

"We are on our own," Fili continued. "No matter the odds, wea re the dwarves of Erebor, created by Mahal to be strong and persevere against evil. Not even Sauron can triumph against us!"

Pride welled among them, and they thumped their fists against the table, chasing away the fear. Nothing could beak the fierce spirit of dwarrow warriors.

Discussion turned to weapons and how many goats they'd be able to use in the valley. Brand would have his cavalry as well, so they'd have to coordinate how those two forces could work with each other to ensure success. So many pieces still needed to be put together, with the biggest one in Thorin's life missing.

Quiet-as he often was these days-Thorin walked toward the nursery. He would go down to the training yard before dinner but needed to see his son. Frerin only had one parent at present, and Thorin refused to let it affect the babe. DÍs did what she could to provide maternal comfort, but no one could replace Danica. That pain was a constant presence in Thorin's life, his heart sore even in sleep.

"My Lord! There is a visitor for you!"

Thorin turned to the wide-eyed sentry. "Who?"

"A wizard,"

He paused only a moment, then sped past the sentry. "Gandalf?"

It was highly unlikely, as the last word they'd had informed them Gandalf was in the south, and Danica, herself, had told them that the white wizard would remain in Gondor.

"No. A strange man in brown robes,"

"Radagast," relief flooded through him. "Where is he?"

"Still in the entry hall. He didn't want to leave the fresh air,"

"Take me to him,"

A few dwarves had stopped to stare at the tall man carrying birds on his head and shoulders. Radagast was murmuring to himself, looking nervously at the ceiling and walls.

"Radagast?"

Startling at Thorin's voice, Radagast looked down at him, then gasped. With surprising quickness, he shuffled forward.

"Thorin Oakenshield. I must speak with you immediately about something most urgent," his birds twittered indignantly at his erratic movements before taking off. He paid them no mind.

"Did you receive my message?"

The wizard's eyes shifted suspiciously at the dwarves around them. Thorin sighed.

"Follow me. There is somewhere we can speak privately,"

"Somewhere with a window, perhaps?"

Only three places in the mountain had access to the open air beside the foyer and throne room. Not wanting to risk anyone hearing them, he took Radagast to his chambers. The entire way, he could hear Radagast's unsteady breath and muttering. To control his ire, Thorin kept reminding himself of all the times the wizard had come to their aid.

"Can I get you anything?" he asked once they were alone.

"No, no," Radagast looked out the window Thorin had installed for Danica. "I must admit, I never understood how dwarves are so comfortable underground. No sky above, no birds chirping or animals chittering. Just machinery and the echoes of other's conversations. Truly, you are hardy folk,"

Unsure if he should feel insulted or not, Thorin cleared his throat. "You said you had something urgent to discuss?"

"Oh! Yes, that's right," eyes clear and focused, Radagast sat at the table in the middle of the room. "I've heard from Danica,"

Thorin dropped into the seat across from Radagast. "You have? How? What did she say?"

"The half-elf, Nathir, has a sleeping draught she used to reach out to me. She has a plan for the Easterling forces making their way from the west and wanted help,"

"So, why are you here?" Thorin barked. "Why aren't you with her?"

"Being here is helping," Radagast responded as if Thorin's concern confused him. "I came for the Arkenstone, which will help bring her consciousness back to her body. We already contacted the eagles,"

"The eagles? Will they help her?"

"They will do what they can," Radagast's countenance grew serious. "Though they remember their promise to help all those years ago when they rescued you and took you to Carrock, the entire world is in need, spreading the free folk thin. Gondor is suffering the greatest, taking the brunt of Sauron's attention, hence Gandalf's presence there. However, the threat of an Easterling general bearing a ring of power cannot be ignored. He must be dealt with, but not by Danica lone. With the power I have already imbued in the Arkenstone, I may be able to bolster her own power when the battle starts,"

Thorin frowned. "Why wait that long? Sauron's army won't be here for another week,"

"No, no, not that battle. The one Danica will wage on the Easterling general to save the witch. She and the others will intercept the Easterlings tomorrow. Working together, Danica and I should be able to cause more confusion among the soldiers, allowing your friends and the eagles to perform their rescue and bring all allies to safety,"

Chest tightening, Thorin stood. It's too dangerous. With only Nathir, Tala and Kayli, there aren't enough of them. The risk is too great,"

"It would be worse if the witch remained in captivity and helped them make their way here. The North wouldn't stand a chance,"

Taking a deep breath to control himself, Thorin rummaged through his brain for anything that could stop this.

"What of the traitor, Saruman? Does he not have enough power to thwart you? What if he intervenes?"

Anger darkened Radagast's features. It was unnatural and unsettling.

"He has been defeated by those he offended most. He is no longer a threat in this war,"

"This is good news," and something Fili should know as soon as possible. "We haven't received word concerning Isengard for some time. I hope is defeat is enough of a loss to Sauron that we gain an upper hand,"

"If not an upper hand, I would say we have gained ground. Now, where is the Arkenstone?"

Once, those words would have incited panic and anger. Now, Thorin just sighed.

"With Danica. I know it may not be of much use to her now, but it felt right,"

Radagast nodded, then stood. "Take me to her,"

Everyone they passed gazed at Radagast with a mixture of bewilderment and awe, but no one stopped them. When they reached Danica's bed, the healer said that Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur had visited that morning. This hadn't been the first time. Many who cared about her frequented her bedside. None of them had given up hope.

"How is she?" Thorin asked the healer, a dwarf still in his prime, but old enough to instill confidence.

"No change. Her body continues to heal, so that is encouraging," after a curious look at the wizard next to Thorin, the healer moved away to check on other patients.

"What do you plan to do?" Thorin asked as Radagast knelt beside Danica's prone form.

"Oh, you poor little thing," Radagast took one of Danica's hands and patted it. "No new mother should be separated from her infant. First thing I will do is aid her body in its final stages of healing. She will need all her strength,"

"Will that really do any good? She has been using another's form,"

"Yes, but this is still where her soul belongs. Where she finds life and power. Now, I need quiet,"

Without waiting for reply, Radagast closed his eyes and began chanting. In only moments, color returned to Danica's cheeks. What had been short, labored breaths eased, her chest rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm. Thorin let out a sigh of relief. It may still be just a shell, but it was good to see her body healthy.

"Thank you," he said when Radagast leaned back.

The old man nodded, slumping in his char. "Keeping the Arkenstone on her chest while she's dream walking will anchor the tether between body and soul. She will feel those roots tomorrow and hear my voice,"

"And be able to return home when the fighting is done?"

"That is the hope," Radagast stood shakily, accepting a maid's help when he stumbled. "Is there a bed I can sleep in? I'm afraid this is all rather taxing,"

Thorin offered guest quarters, but Radagast preferred a cot so he could stay close to Danica in case something went wrong. Anxiety struck Thorin. She would be in a battle without him, and there was literally nothing he could do to help. For now, all he could do was entrust his wife's fate with Radagast, no matter how unnatural that felt.