Hey guys, I am so sorry for how late this it. I honestly had no intention on making you wait this long. Originally, I was going to wait until I had my eyes sorted before continuing to type, however, they haven't been done yet, hopefully will be done in New Year. But, I have found a way where I will be able to write without too much issue, so I can keep going for now! Yay!
Sorry again to keep you all waiting this long. I hope this early Christmas gift will help make it up to you. I'm not going to be updating now until after the New Year though. Thanks again for being so patient and understanding xx
Chapter 6
Once we're all free from the sacks and the spit, we all get ourselves dressed, the others turning their backs and allowing me to do so first. As I finish and give the all clear, I gather my weapons together before turning my back to the males to strap them on before walking over to the stone statues where Gandalf is, having hit one with his staff.
"You got here just in the nick of time, mellonin."
He smiles at me. "I always arrive when I mean to, you should know this by now."
I just grin. Hearing a noise nearby, I look and feel myself take a sharp intake of breath at Thorin walking over, black brigantine on top of his dark blue tunic and blue furred coat over the top.
Even though we had just been freed from burlap sacks, he is still able to look regal and majestic despite all that. The way he walks over. . .it's enough to make my heart skip a beat.
"Where did you go to if I may ask?" Thorin asks Gandalf.
"To look ahead." The wizard replies.
"What brought you back?"
"Looking behind."
I see Thorin smile, inclining his head in gratitude at Gandalf's return.
"Nasty business. Still, you're all in one piece."
"No thanks to your burglar.."
Gandalf gives him a hard look at this. "He had the nous to play for time. None of the rest of you thought of that. And I don't think our Seraphina would have been much use to do the same from what I saw."
The last part he spoke quietly, but it still made me tense up at the thought of anyone finding out. Thorin at least has the decency to look repentant of this, also giving me a look of gratitude.
"They must have come down from the Etenmoors." Gandalf points our as he turns to the trolls.
"Since when do mountain trolls come this far South?" I ask in confusion.
"Ooh, not for an age. Not since a darker power ruled these lands."
The three of us give a meaningful look at each other, all of us knowing what power he's talking about. I have to literally hold myself back from growling loudly, though I'm sure I failed, seeing Thorin glance at me.
Gandalf turns back to the trolls. "They could not have moved in daylight."
"There must be a cave nearby." Thorin says as he looks around.
As Thorin begins dividing some of us to break camp and others to find the cave. Gandalf and I follow Thorin with a few others. I can smell the cave before I can see it. A large cave carved in the side of the cliff which is full of all kinds of treasure and such the trolls would have found among their victims.
"Oh, what's that stench?!" Nori asks.
"It's a troll hoard. Be careful what you touch." Gandalf explains.
Gandalf, Thorin, Dwalin, Nori, Bofur, Gloin and I are the only ones that go inside, the others waiting for us outside. I tried to calm down my sense of smell so I don't throw up, but it's no use, the smell of the cave being too strong, so I just try to breathe through my mouth instead of my nose. After finding piles of gold along the floor, Bofur, Nori and Gloin hover over it.
"Seems a shame just to leave it lyin' around. Anyone could take it." Bofur states.
"Agreed. Nori, get a shovel." Gloin says to Nori.
While exploring, Thorin finds two swords covered in cobwebs. Gandalf approaches him.
"These swords were not made by any troll." Thorin says.
Thorin hands one sword to Gandalf and keeps the other one.
"Nor were they made by any smith among men. These were forged in Gondolin, the High Elves of the First Age."
Realizing that they are Elven swords, Thorin starts to put his away in disgust.
"You could not wish for a finer blade." Gandalf tells him.
Reluctantly, Thorin holds on to the sword. He draws it out of its sheath a few inches as well. I smile as I see him looking at the sword in wonder. Looking around, I pause as I come across a chest full of smaller weapons; daggers, throwing knives and such. Looking through them, I pause before pulling a small dagger out. Looking over the hilt, I see it is white in colour and has carvings which look like flames. On the base of the pommel, a ruby has been crafted into it, the same flaming pattern is carved into the sheath. Pulling the blade out, I see it's just a simple straight blade which comes to a point. It's a simple looking blade, but no less beautiful. Whoever made this took extra care. Looking back to the chest, I see another dagger which looks the exact same, except the gem in that one is an amethyst. I also pull that out and smile as I look over them. My favourite gem has always been amethyst, while Nina's colour is red. The ruby dagger would be perfect for her, especially since I'm about to begin her weapons training. This will make a great hatch day gift for her. Although, she will be barred from using it until she's ready.
Hearing Thorin calling for us to leave, I stand and follow him, walking past Gandalf as I do. I walk out into the fresh air and smile at the relief. I see the others have arrived back from camp and I thank Bifur for passing me my pack as I attach my daggers to my belt, I look back as I hear Gandalf calling for Bilbo and see the wizard handing him a small sword. That must've been what he was doing when I walked past him.
Standing straight, I hear something rustling nearby.
"Thorin! Something's coming!" I call out as I take one of my blades out.
Gandalf rushes over with the dwarves. "Stay together! Hurry now. Arm yourselves."
I lead the way to where the noise was coming from and I soon have to jump back as a rabbit drawn sled suddenly emerges from the bushes and what looks to be a wizard dressed in brown. He pulls up short by us.
"Thieves! Fire! Murder!"
"Radagast! Radagast the Brown. Ah. What on earth are you doing here?"
I instantly sheathe my blade at this. This is the brown wizard Gandalf had mentioned a few days ago.
"I was looking for you, Gandalf. Something's wrong. Something's terribly wrong."
"Yes?"
Radagast opens his mouth to speak, but shuts it. He opens his mouth again, but closes it again. He has forgotten what he was going to say.
"Oh, just give me a minute. Um, oh, I had a thought, and now I've lost it. It was, it was right there, on the tip of my tongue." He curls up his tongue, and looks surprised. "Oh, it's not a thought at all; it's a silly old. . ." Gandalf pulls a stick insect out of Radagast's mouth. "-stick insect!"
I pull a face of disgust at this as I stare with the others, watching as he and Gandalf move away to talk. This strange fellow is supposed to be one of the Maia? He seems like a decent enough man at first glance, a little eccentric maybe, but decent enough. And Gandalf trusts him enough to mention his praises of his love of animals and nature, which is apparent giving how well his rabbits looked.
Feeling something at my leg, I look down and see one of the rabbits with their fore paws on me, leaning up to sniff, it seems to back off in fear a little as I look at it, grouping with the others who also seem to avoid me. I know they can sense the dragon part of me. In order to appease their fears, I smile and kneel down, holding my hand out to them, as I speak gently.
"It's alright, little ones. I'm not going to hurt you."
The rabbit that had climbed me looks me over for a moment before slowly walking to me, it's nose twitching as it sniffs me. Once it realizes I'm not a threat, it begins to tuck it's head under my hand, allowing me to pet it, which I do. The others, realizing the same, hops over, also wanting attention, which I give as I let out a giggle.
Thorin, once the wizards had left to talk, stands with Dwalin as they all wait. Out of the corner of his eye, he can see one of the large rabbits climbing up on Seraphina's leg, quickly backing off when she looks at it. He fully turns his attention to watch as she kneels besides the cowering rabbits, hand held out as she speaks to them. He continues watching as the first rabbit bravely steps forward to sniff her before allowing her to pet it, then the others clamour around her, almost knocking her off balance. He hears her giggle as she pets each one in turn. The sound of her laughter doing things to him he had never thought possible.
He had remained in control over his emotions for many, many years, never once thinking on thoughts of a female before and never sought out the company of other females, other than his sister, of course. But, ever since this woman came into his life, bravely standing up for them against not only one of her own, but one twice her size, he's been feeling things he's not sure he should be. Her strength alone was enough to garner his attention, but as he got to know her more, over the few times they had spoken, he found her very appealing. Her kindness, her willingness to do anything she could to help them in their quest. And then, the feel of her body underneath his when they sparred. . .it sent such a shock to his system, such a thrill, he lost all control over his body, that all he could was lay there and just stare into her ice blue eyes, eyes that seemed to flicker gold.
"She certainly is a mystery, that one." Balin says as he joins his brother and king.
Thorin nods in agreement She definitely is. Her occasionally golden eyes and control over fire just a few hours ago, there was definitely a mystery surrounding her. A mystery he hoped she would be able to tell him soon.
His thoughts are immediately interrupted by a howl in the air, causing everyone to jump. He notices a cold, hard look taking over Serephina's face, a look he had never seen before, bur it's one he understands.
"Was that a wolf? Are there-are there wolves out there?" Bilbo asks, sounding afraid.
"No, that is not a wolf." Bofur replies, his voice also full of fear.
Hearing the snap of a twig, they all spin around in time to see a warg appearing over the nearby crag, letting out a growl before its leaps over, knocking down Dori. Thorin immediately jumps forward and kills it, seeing another one come up from behind him.
"Kili! Get your bow!" He shouts out to his nephew.
Both he and Seraphina shoot the warg, bringing it down, allowing Dwalin to kill it.
"Warg scouts! Which means an orc pack is not far behind!" Seraphina practically growls out.
"Orc pack!?" Biblo squeaks in fear, Seraphina putting a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Gandalf looks to Thorin. "Who did you tell about your quest, beyond your kin?"
"No one." Thorin answers.
"Who did you tell?"
"No one, I swear. What in Durin's name is going on?" Thorin asks.
"You are being hunted." Gandalf informs him.
"We have to get out of here." Dwlain states.
"We can't!" Ori rushes over with Bifur, "We have no ponies; they bolted."
"I'll draw them off." Radagast offers.
Everyone turns to the brown wizard, looking at him as if he's insane.
"These are Gundabad Wargs; they will outrun you!" Gandalf says to him.
Radagast turns to him. "These are Rhosgobel Rabbits; I'd like to see them try."
After getting on the sled, Radagast shoots away and out of the trees as the company begin to make their way through the woods. Thorin notices Seraphina staying close to the hobbit and is relieved. He knows Bilbo has no experience in such things as this and is glad someone will be right by him to watch out for him.
As they come to the edge of the woods, waiting on Gandalf's signal to move, Thorin hears the brown wizard shouting to the orcs and wargs, taunting them to get him. Peeking through the branches, he has to admit that he is impressed at the speed those rabbits of his can go. There may be a method to his madness after all.
"Come on!" Gandalf exclaims.
The company then run out of the woods, following the grey wizard across the rocky plains. In the distance, Radagast can be seen being chased by the pack. Thorin suddenly stops as ahead on him, he sees the wargs running right by, still chasing the wizard. Luckily, they didn't see them.
"Stay together." Gandalf says, nudging them in a different direction.
"Move!" Thorin yells.
As the chase continues, Thorin stops behind a rock so that he is not seen by the wargs as they charge past. His hand quickly springs out to grab onto Ori's coat, as he runs by.
"Ori, no! Come back!"
He pulls him back to the safety of the company. Once the coast is clear, Gandalf urges them on.
"Where are you leading us?" Thorin asks as he looks up at the wizard, suspicion clear in his voice.
Gandalf barely glances at him as he goes past. Thorin notices Seraphina standing by, frowning at the wizard in disapproval, the gold flashing once again. She knew where they were going. He just takes her hand and they both run on to follow the others. They quickly have to hide, when they notice a warg rider heading their way. They all keep quiet as the warg stands on the rock above them, looking and sniffing around for them. Thorin look to Seraphina and Kili, who are standing next to him and nod to their bows, the indication clear. Shoot them. The two archers turn and look at each other, a wordless conversation happening between them before they nod and each notch an arrow onto their bows. After a moment, they step forward and both fire at the creatures above them, shooting them again brings both tumbling down. The orc climbs to its feet and charges at them, but Dwalin jumps in to attack it, moving onto the warg as Bifur jumps in with his spear. Thorin knows they are making too much noise, no doubt the pack would have heard them. When the foul beasts are finally dead, he stops as he hears the howls of the wargs, now heading in their direction.
"Move. Run!" Gandalf yells.
The company run on, running across the now grassy plains, trying to get away from the oncoming pack. Thorin knows it's going to be futile, they will soon catch up to them. Which they quickly do, Thorin stopping as he sees some of them on the hill ahead of him.
"There's more coming!" Kili calls out in a panic.
"Kili! Seraphina! Shoot them!" Thorin yells out to the two.
Both archers immediately do as asked and begins shooting down the pack, dwindling their numbers slightly.
"We're surrounded!" Fili yells as he joins the others grouped together.
"Where is Gandalf?" Dori asks.
"He has abandoned us!" Dwalin rages.
"Hold your ground!" Thorin orders, drawing out his new sword.
"This way, you fools!" Gandalf's voice suddenly calls out after a few minutes
Turning back, Thorin sees Gandalf disappearing into a cavern. He quickly runs over and jumps onto a boulder in front of it.
"Come on, move! Quickly, all of you! Go, go, go!"
As the Wargs approach, the dwarves and Bilbo slide into the large crack in the rock, sliding into a cave. Thorin kills any wargs that get close. He looks over to see Kili and Seraphina still shooting.
"Kili! Seraphina! Run!" Thorin shouts out.
He sees Kili turning and running towards them, Seraphina shooting two orcs that are too close before turning and also running. He watches as his nephews jump down and snaps his head up as he hears a cry come from the woman. His heart clenches as he sees a warg on top of Seraphina.
"SERA!" Thorin yells out, fear and panic filling him.
He freezes as he sees her right arm come up to stop the warg from ripping out her throat, but only to bite down on blue scales that cover her arm. He sees her looking at him, eyes now gold once again.
"Thorin! Go! Now!" she cries out to him.
"I'm not leaving you!" he calls out, taking a step towards her.
"There's too many! You'll be killed! I'll find you, I promise! Now, get out of here!"
He goes to argue again, but seeing the pack advancing on not long her but him, he gives her one last look before jumping down.
Seeing Thorin and the others now safe, I turn my attention back to the warg on top of me, keeping my concentration on the shift on my arm. Suddenly, a sound that fills me with relief rings through the air, the horn of the elves. The warg, now distracted by the oncoming horses, I reach down and pull my new dagger out before stabbing the warg in the neck, killing it. Pushing it off me, I stand, while removing the scales and see the elves killing the pack while some manage to flee.
I turn to the passage in time to see an orc fall back into it. Dodging out of the way of the horses, I reach the hole in time to hear Kili ask about me and that's when I jump down, rolling on the ground next to the orc.
"Sera!" I hear the cries of many of the others.
Looking up, I smile as I see the relieved eyes of Fili, Kili, Bilbo and Bofur above me.
"I'm fine. I'm not hurt." I reassure them as I stand, the brothers helping me to my feet.
Looking around at everyone, my gaze catches Thorin's and my breathing hitches as I see pure relief within those blue orbs. I know he was worried about me, I see it when I was telling him to run, but I didn't know he was this worried. I give him a smile.
"I told you I would find you."
His lips tilt up slightly at the corners before he walks over and gently takes my right arm, looking it over, whether he's checking for injuries or scales, I do not know.
"Truly, you are not injured?"
I shake my head. "No. All good."
He nods as he looks over my arm again before releasing it and looking me in the eyes.
"I think we definitely need to talk."
I nod. "You're right. But, not now. Let us get some rest first."
He hesitates a moment but nods and turns as we hear Dwalin from ahead.
"I cannot see where the pathway leads. Do we follow it or no?"
"Follow it, of course!" Bofur says as he hurries on.
Gandalf agrees "I think that would be wise."
The rest of us follow, Thorin gently pressing me on ahead of him. As we match forward, I can tell the others are nervous. Whether that's from the tight squeeze we're having to go through, the sheer height of the cliffsides, or the magic coursing through the passage, I do not know. However, I let out a sigh of contentment as I feel the magic coursing through me, easing away a lot of my aches.
"Are you alright?" Thorin asks, after placing a hand on my shoulder.
I smile back at him. "I'm perfectly alright, Thorin. I'm home."
I see him frown at me a moment, opening his mouth to ask something before Dwalin announces the light ahead. We quicken our pace and exit the tunnel and I can't help but smile as I look upon the elven city of Rivendell. My home. I can feel the animosity coming from the dwarves, however.
"The Valley of Imraldis." Gandalf begins from behind. "In the Common Tongue, it's known by another name."
"Rivendell." I hear Bilbo breathe out.
Looking over to the hobbit, I smile as I see him looking over my home with awe and wonder.
"Here lies the last Homely House east of the sea."
Thorin stomps up to Gandalf. "This was your plan all along, to seek refuge with our enemy."
"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill-will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself."
"You think the Elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try to stop us."
"Of course they will. But we have questions that need to be answered. If we are to be successful, this will need to be handled with tact and respect and no small degree of charm. Which is why you will leave the talking to me and Seraphina."
Ignoring the stares of the others, I begin to lead the way down the cliffside towards the city and cross the bridge before standing in the courtyard at the bottom of some stairs. Gandalf stands next to me as I watch the others gather around, smiling again as Bilbo is smiling as he looks around.
"Mithrandir! Seraphina!" A familiar voice calls from the stairs.
We look up and smile as Lindir walks down towards us. The three of us give the normal elven greeting with our hands across our heart and bowing.
"Lastannem i athrannedh i Vruinen." Lindir says to us.
"I must speak with Lord Elrond." Gandalf informs him.
"My lord Elrond is not here."
"Not here? Where is he?"
I grin. "Oh, I think he'll be joining us momentarily."
The two males look at me just before the horn before rings out. I see Gandalf give me a look of understanding before turn and watch the elves on horseback heading towards us. I then have to roll my eyes as Thorin orders everyone to hold ranks, their weapons raised against the elves, who circle around the dwarves. I give a sigh of frustration as I pinch the bridge of my nose. Damn men and their egos.
"Gandalf! Seraphina!"
I look up and smile at the lead elf, Lord Elrond, who has been my father figure ever since I hatched.
Gandalf bows gracefully. "Lord Elrond. Mellonnen! Mo evínedh?"
"Farannem 'lamhoth i udul o charad. Dagannem rim na Iant Vedui."
Elrond dismounts from his horse, then he and Gandalf embrace. He then smiles as he turns to me.
"Seraphina. How are you, my dear?"
I smile at him. "I am fine, father. Tired, but fine."
We both embrace for a moment before he pulls back and turns to the wizard while holding up an orcish blade before handing it to Lindir.
"Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders. Something, or someone, has drawn them near."
"Ah, that may have been us." Gandalf says, nodding to the dwarves.
Thorin steps forward, and Elrond looks upon him with recognition.
"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain."
"I do not believe we have met." Thorin says.
"You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the Mountain."
"Indeed; he made no mention of you."
I groan as I put my head in my hand, groaning more as Elrond begins speaking in elvish. .
"Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annam vann a nethail vin."
Knowing by the tone in his voice, and the fact that dwarves can't understand him, they immediately become agitated.
"What is he saying? Does he offer us insult?" Gloin asks.
I roll my eyes and sigh, even moreso at the small smirk of amusement of Elrond's face.
"No, master Gloin, he's offering you food." I say in exasperation.
The dwarves quickly discuss this amongst themselves.
"Ah well, in that case, lead on."
I roll my eyes again as we all begin to make our way up the stairs. However, I don't go with the others and begin walking down a different corridor.
"Sera, where are you going?" Fili asks.
I turn to him. "I'm not going to be joining you, tonight. I am tired and in the need of a hot bath before I get some sleep. I will see you all tomorrow."
Giving a pointed look to Thorin and a slight bow, I turn and walk down the corridor to go to my room, where I close and lock the door behind me. After bathing, I would love nothing more than to see my mother and my little girl, but knowing I'm not going to be in the right frame of mind for visitors, I know the best thing I need is sleep. My mother knows that I don't like to be disturbed on the day I return, so she'll be able to keep Nina entertained until I get some rest.
Pushing away from the door, I drop my pack by the bed before going into the bathroom and filling the marble tub with hot water before changing. I sigh as I sink into the tub, letting the scalding water finish easing my aches the magic on the mountain started.
The past couple of days have been long, getting captured by trolls, using my magic to keep the burning fire to a minimum, running from the orc pack and then getting pinned under a warg, it's no wonder I didn't collapse as soon as my feet hit the grounds of Rivendell.
Holding my right arm up, I think back to when Thorin had taken hold of it, his rough fingers running, surprisingly, up and down the skin. I definitely know he's suspicious of me now, how can he not be? Not only did he see my golden eyes at least twice, he was there when the scales appeared on my arm, holding the warg back. I know he wants answers, he deserves that at least, but, I am terrified. Many of my kin, once they were found out, were slaughtered. And this was even before Smaug had destroyed our home. Who knows how many have been killed since then.
Sighing, I sit up and grab a glass bottle of lotion and begin scrubbing off the dirt and grime from the past few days before washing my hair. Standing, I empty the bath water, staring in disgust at how dark and brown the water turned from my wash. Getting out, I wrap a towel around myself and go into the bedroom to dry off and dress in a lilac nightdress.
As I'm drying my hair, I can hear loud singing coming from nearby. Recognising the voices of the dwarves, I drop the towel in the hamper before going onto my balcony and looking over in the direction of the singing, see the company, Gandalf and Elrond sitting on the terrace as they have dinner. Bofur is standing on a pedestal singing away, while the dwarves around him also join in. What catches my attention is Thorin standing near the dwarves, drinking from a metal canteen while his foot taps away to the beat and even from here, I can see the smile of contentment on his face, making him even more striking and handsome than before. Looking over the times my emotions had gone haywire around this dwarf, I then realise something, I have an attraction to Thorin. I mean, I had known since I first saw him that he was extremely handsome, but I didn't think I would have an attraction to him.
I smile as I look over the gardens, listening to the merriment of the group below her. before turning to go back into the bedroom where I climb into bed. No, tonight is not the night for answers. Let them have their fun for now. Tomorrow, I will tell Thorin everything he wants to know.
Well, here we have it with Chapter 6. Sophia and Aiden are finally in Rivendell. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Xx
As I said at the top, I won't be updating until after the New Year, so I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you all in 2025 xxx
Translations;
Lastannem i athrannedh i Vruinen. - We heard you had crossed into the Valley.
Ifridî bekâr! - Ready weapons!
Mellonnen! Mo evínedh? - My friend! Where have you been?
Farannem 'lamhoth i udul o charad. Dagannem rim na Iant Vedui. - We've been hunting a pack of Orcs that came up from the South. We slew a number near the Hidden Pass.
Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annam vann a nethail vin - Light the fires, bring forth the wine. We must feed our guests.