Erebor Regained Spring 3018

Thorin pushed opened the carved wooden door. "How's she doing today?" he asked Fili's daughter, Bryn.

"Oh, Uncle, she is having a wonderful day! I had Frer carry her out to the terrace this morning and she and Malda have been talking ever since."

It was amazing, Thorin thought, how like his mother she was in looks as well as name. "That's good to hear. I'm going to check on her." He walked through the tunnel, wishing every day could be like this. Naya had been in poor health for the last year. Some days she didn't leave their rooms.

He paused at the exit to survey the scene. The terrace was a truly beautiful place. For most of the day, there was at least some sun. If it was too warm, the pergola and fountain provided a cool oasis. Naya had brought vast tubs of soil up to hold trees and plants. She even had a hive of bees at one end. Today, she was sitting on a chaise, bundled in a blanket with Niggle VI on her lap. Other cats were scattered around the patio. Naya could never have too many cats, Thorin thought with a smile. Malda, looking not a day older, was perched in her usual spot.

"Hail, Malda, eagle of Erebor!" Thorin always liked to greet her in a grand fashion. She seemed to appreciate it.

"And greetings to you, King Under the Mountain," she replied. "May your gold ever increase."

"It does, it does. And may your flight be strong and true!" he laughed.

"Oh, drop it, you two. Once you get started, it's hard to make you stop. You both know you are the best there ever was, etc. You don't need to keep reminding yourselves!" Naya smiled from her couch.

Thorin sat down beside her and kissed her gently and rubbed her hands. "You look good today. Bryn said you have been out all morning. Are you sure you're not cold?"

"I'm fine. Malda was just trying to convince me to go flying with her, but I told her you wouldn't let me go anymore," Naya teased Thorin. She had had to give up their flights several years ago.

"Malda, how many times must you tempt her? One of these days, she'll say 'yes' and you'll drop her into a valley!" Thorin continued the teasing, but it broke his heart to know how much Naya longed to fly.

"I would never drop her, Thorin. It was always an honor to carry her." Malda, too, missed their journeys. "I will leave you two alone. I must go check on my latest chick. He is a little too brave sometimes." Without waiting for a reply, she swooped off her perch and flew away.

"I hope she didn't think I was serious," said Thorin.

"No, she knew you wanted to talk to me. We saw the messenger," Naya said quietly. "What did he want this time?"

Thorin should have expected this. Even when confined to her rooms, Naya missed little of what occurred in the mountain. "It was the same as the other times. He wanted news of 'hobbits' and 'the least of rings'."

"What did you say?" Naya hated that she had not been able to be there.

"I told him again that we had no reply. He said he will come but one more time and if we did not answer, there would be consequences. What are we going to do, Naya? Are you sure he comes from Mordor as he said?"

Naya reached out and took his hand. "Even if Malda had not seen him approach from the East and return to the East, I would have known. A stink of evil clings to you even though you spent only a few minutes with him. It's the same sense I got from Bilbo when he used that thrice-damned ring of his. I warned him no good would come of it, and now I am proved right. How I wish this time I was wrong."

"But what should I do?" Thorin was at a loss when it came to matters like this.

"I think it's time to contact Gandalf. We need to send someone to Rivendell. Years ago, Gandalf told me that Elrond would be able to find him if he was ever needed. He is definitely needed," Naya said.

"Would the eagles take a message? That would be the fastest way." Thorin wanted this settled as quickly as possible.

"No. They do not involve themselves in our affairs. My relationship with Malda is an exception which has been frowned upon on occasion. I would not even suggest it, and we don't want them to get noticed by Mordor. You will have to send someone."

Thorin looked thoughtful. "This might work to our advantage. Gloin is concerned about his son. Apparently, young Gimli is aching for adventure and Gloin is afraid he may set out on his own. Gloin knows about the ring so we don't have to inform anyone else about it, and Gimli would get a chance at 'adventure'. I will see how quickly they can leave."

Slowly Naya nodded. "Yes, I think that is just the thing." Gimli might get more than he bargained for in his quest for excitement, she thought to herself. "While we wait for an answer, I suggest you start preparing for attack. Even if we give Sauron everything he asks for, it is only a matter of time before he tries to conquer us all."

"Brand is feeling the pressure on his borders already. He, too, has been contacted and since he has no particular connection or loyalty to Bilbo, he may give in to the demands for concessions," Thorin worried.

"He mustn't do that!" Naya cried. "We must give Gandalf as much time as possible to figure out what needs to be done. Better we should die fighting than live as thralls to the East!"

Thorin stroked her hands. "Don't get upset, Naya. It isn't good for you. I will talk to Brand and encourage him to stand fast. I doubt he wants to be a slave either."

...

A week later, they waved goodbye to the little expedition. Gloin had jumped at the chance to take his son out on the road. "Too bad it has to be to see elves," he muttered. "I would prefer something else, but this will have to do." Although he had gotten over his bigotry towards Naya, he still hated elves and disliked most foreigners. His son held the same views.

"Oh, Gloin, and here I thought I had cured you of your bias!" Naya reached out and gave the dwarf a playful hug. "When you see Gandalf, be sure to give him my greetings. I wish he had been able to visit at least once in all these years, but it's not surprising that he didn't. He has many irons in the fire."

Gloin hugged her back. She was the only foreigner he would allow to treat him like this. Everyone else would have had a sword at their neck. "But it's elves, Naya. Men and skin changers are bad enough, but elves!" he laughed. " I'll be sure to give Gandalf your message or leave it with someone who can pass it on."

Naya looked over the group. Gloin and Gimli were joined by several other dwarves whose ultimate destination was the Blue Mountains. She didn't really know Gimli. He was much like his father in stature and seemed anxious to start. "Keep an open mind about those you might meet on the road, young Gimli," she said. "You find friends in the oddest places."

Gimli bowed to his queen. "Thank you for your advice, my lady. I will do my best."

Naya smiled. "I'm sure you will."

The little group started down the road and gradually disappeared in the distance. Naya turned to Thorin. "The wheels are in motion, my dear. Now all we can do is wait."

Later, Naya and Thorin were back on her terrace. "Why did this have to happen now, Thorin? We worked so hard to restore Erebor, and now it is threatened with destruction." She was leaning on the balustrade, remembering the first time she had done so. Then, the desolation had stretched as far as the eye could see. Today, the slopes were green with trees and plants. Birds nested in her pergola and farmers tilled the soil far below on the plains.

"We don't know that it will be destroyed, Naya. It's not like we are defenseless, and I will start tomorrow to reinforce what we already have. Sauron will not have an easy time taking Erebor."

...

The threat to the mountain seemed to renew Naya's strength. She was able to spend at least part of each day supervising the preparations inside the mountain. While Thorin, Fili and Kili worked on beefing up the outer defenses, Naya organized the food stores for a possible siege or destruction of their farms. Brand in Dale had been convinced to stand up to the messenger and Erebor was contributing to the city's defense. "I think Brand should prepare his people for a move into the mountain," Naya said one evening while they were enjoying a quiet moment in their rooms. "If we are attacked and besieged, Dale will most certainly be looted and sacked. The women and children will be safer here."

Thorin looked at her sharply. "You said years ago that your visions had stopped. Is there something you're not telling me?"

"After all these years," Naya admitted, "I have been getting some bits and pieces that are only now beginning to make sense. They are nothing like when we first met," she smiled happily at the memory, "but it makes me anxious about those living outside. That is why I am storing as much food as possible rather than selling it on the market to foreigners." She used the dwarf term. "If the mountain must face a siege, we will need supplies. And even if there is not a siege, a battle may destroy many of our crops or disrupt a growing season. Nothing causes more trouble than hungry people."

Thorin pulled her into his arms and kissed her. "You are always two steps ahead of me. I have been concentrating on fighting and you are already thinking about after the battle." He changed the subject abruptly. "I hate to say anything, but you seem reinvigorated with all this activity. How are you really doing?" It pleased him she was able to be up and about, but he also worried there was something she was hiding from him.

They were side by side on the love seat. Naya gently took Thorin's hand. "I have dreaded this conversation, my love. It has been a long time coming." She looked at his beloved face. He, too had grown old over the years. His beard was long, soft and snow white now. He had turned many of his responsibilities over to Fili and took things easier than he ever had before. She continued, "I am old Thorin. I have outlived all my brothers and even some of their children. Bard and Bain have both been kings in Dale and I outlived them, too. Brand now rules. I am tired. I have lived a life I never expected to have because one day I decided to take a walk in the woods and a group of dwarves just happened to show up at the same time." She smiled, remembering the events all those years ago. "I have used the Arkenstone to enhance my lifespan because I could not bear to be parted from you. Since Willa died, Dwalin has been so lonely, I didn't want you to have to be alone. I have lived beyond my time waiting for you. But…." She swallowed and forced herself to continue. "I don't think I can do it much longer. I am working hard so that when I am gone, you will not have to worry about anything. I fear I shall not see another beautiful Erebor spring." She laid her head on his shoulder and wept.

Thorin reached out and stroked her hair. "I suspected something like this. There is not a single human here that can match you in age. You mustn't worry about me. I am old, too. Most dwarves would be thrilled to live to 250. I am a ripe old 272. For someone who was destined to die at 195, I haven't done too badly. And besides, when you are gone, I shall simply marry one of those dwarf-women that are always hanging around. We will have six children and Fili will have to find another line of work!" He smiled at her, trying to make her laugh. It worked.

"You…you horrible little dwarf. When I think of all that I have sacrificed for you…." Naya broke into tears and laughter at the same time. No more was said on the subject.

...

In January, Gloin returned without Gimli. Sitting with Naya and Thorin, he told them the results of the Council of Elrond. "You were right as usual, Naya. Bilbo's ring is the cause of much of the trouble we are having with Mordor." He gave a brief explanation of the plan to destroy the ring. "Gimli is representing the dwarves. It was felt that someone from each of the Free Peoples should go with Frodo, Bilbo's nephew. I am too old for such things, but Gimli was quite happy to volunteer. Gandalf advises that all we can do here is stand our ground and fight until the end, whatever and whenever that may be."

Naya sat with her head on Thorin's shoulder. All her energy of the summer seemed to have drained away. "At least our preparations will not have been in vain," she said. "Unfortunately, that means Erebor will once again face the orcs. I think this next battle will be far worse than the last."

"No matter what comes, we will face it," Thorin said defiantly. "We will face it."

...

Bryn was keeping Naya company as usual. In the mornings, she would tend to the sick in the Healing Room and after lunch she would help Naya. Bryn had a talent for healing which was why she and Naya had grown so close. With the help of the Arkenstone, she was able to see Naya's walls almost as well as Naya herself. She had also learned to use the stone in her healing work. It was a strong bond between the two.

Today, they were counting animals. It never ceased to amaze Bryn. No matter how many they found, there always seemed to be new ones. "I think they actually breed," she told Naya. "How else do you explain so many new little birds today?"

Naya opened her eyes and smiled slightly. "It wouldn't surprise me. That Niggle was a magician of some sort. There is no end to the entertainment of his walls." She struggled to sit up, scattering cats every which way. Bryn helped her and she said,"There is something we need to talk about."

Bryn tilted her head. "You sound so serious!"

"I am serious. My time grows short." She held up her hand as Bryn started to protest. "You, better than anyone know that, Bryn. I grow weaker every day. But before I go, I want you to promise me two things."

Bryn took the old woman's hands. "Anything. You know I would do anything for you."

"I will speak to Fili also, but I want you to promise that you will live in these rooms with the Arkenstone. It keeps the walls alive and I want them to continue."

"I would love to do that! I have always envied you these rooms. Rest assured, if I can, I will." If that was what these promises were, thought Bryn, no problem.

Naya squeezed her hands. "The next one is not so easy but even more important, I think. Soon there will be a great battle at the Front Gate of the mountain, just like in the past. I want you to promise me that if I am still alive, you will bring Thorin to me when he is struck down."

Bryn gasped. "Struck down? What do you mean? Have you seen his death?"

"His and many others. But it is Thorin that I am concerned with. Even if he is already dead, I want you to make them bring him to me, in this room, in our bed. It's important. Promise me, Bryn! You must promise." Naya was getting upset.

Bryn didn't understand, but knowing Naya's past, she knew that would be some reason for it. "I-I promise, Naya. I will do my best."

Naya's head fell back onto the pillow. "I trust you,child. No matter what, bring him to me. Now, how many squirrels can we find?"

...

A few days later, Fili knocked on Naya's door. Bryn answered. "She wants to see you, Adad. She has been anxiously waiting. I don't know what it's about, but see if you can calm her down." As Fili entered, Bryn exited to give them privacy.

Fili walked through the suite to Naya's and Thorin's bedroom. He remembered the 'scandal' some of the old dwarf biddies had thought it that the king and queen never moved into the royal bed chambers. Fili and his wife had always had them ever since they were married. Fili knew that there was supposed to be something special about the walls here, but other than the paintings, he didn't know what else it could be.

Fili hadn't seen Naya in more than a week. She didn't appear in public anymore. Today she looked more tired and drawn than he had ever seen her. He bent down and kissed her cheek. "Bryn tells me you need to talk to me. I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner. There are reports of an orc army massing to the north just like before."

"They are coming, but that is not what I want to talk to you about. I need you to promise me three things." Naya's voice was very soft and Fili leaned close to hear her words.

"I will try." Sometimes, her requests were odd. He never promised until he heard what they were.

"When Thorin and I am gone, I want you to promise me that you will make Bryn the custodian of the Arkenstone, the way I was for Thorin. She uses it for healing and that is more important than it being admired. Borrow it if you must, but let her have it most of the time."

Fili smiled. "That is an easy promise to make. You and she have done a lot of good with that stone. I see no reason to change the tradition now."

Naya opened her eyes when he stopped speaking. "Good. That's good. Next, I want these rooms to be Bryn's. She understands the walls and will take good care of them, and she would like to have them after me."

"Another easy promise. I see no reason for her not to have them." This was easier than he had thought.

"You might have to fight Rin on this, Fili. You know how she is about appearances. Just because I am gone, don't think I won't haunt you! Make sure she lets Bryn have the rooms."

"I will, I promise. Now, what was the third?" He hoped it would be another easy one. His hopes were dashed, slightly.

"Thorin will fight in the coming battle, which he should. And he will be struck down at some point." Fili gasped as she said this. "Better to die in battle than feeble and bedridden, Fili. I know of what I speak." She smiled weakly. "Whether he is dead or injured, I want you to make sure all know that he is to be brought to me if I still live. Bryn has promised me this, and I want you to promise me too. I can't explain it but know that it is very important to me. My last request, so to speak."

Fili stared at the old woman before him, remembering the lively young creature she had been when they first met. "Oh, Naya, I have never known you to guide us in a wrong direction. If this is something you want, then I will do my best to make it so. I promise. Dead or alive, I will get Thorin to your side somehow."

"I know you have your doubts some days, Fili, but you will be a great king. Erebor will thrive under your rule and the rule of your sons. Thank you for being my friend all these years." She patted his hand and fell asleep.

"And thank you for saving us all those years ago, Naya. I'll miss you," the future king of Erebor whispered as he left her side.

...

The battle raged outside. A massive orc army had descended upon the mountain from the North two days ago. Inside, Naya clutched the Arkenstone to her chest. She refused all food and only took a little water as she waited. Dis and Bryn were her only attendants although old friends stopped occasionally to check on her and say their goodbyes. The cats kept watch, with Niggle at the foot of the bed. All of Erebor knew their queen was dying even as many dwarves and men died outside. Sometimes she seemed aware, Bryn thought. Her eyes, when they were open, were glued to the walls.

Late on the third day of battle, Dis heard shouting and the tramp of heavy boots down the passageway. She rose in anger to hush the intruders but before she could reach the door, it was pushed open. Balin stood there, covered in the muck and mire of battle.

"Thorin is coming. He isn't dead yet, but it won't be long. Fili said we were to bring him to Naya immediately." Balin could barely choke out the news. "We have retreated into the mountain and blocked the gate."

Dis was stunned. She knew of Naya's request, but like Fili, she had hoped this would be the time the shape shifter was wrong. "Where is he? How long?" Even as the words left her mouth, Dwalin and Nori appeared behind Balin with a stretcher carrying her brother. Some attempt had been made to clean Thorin up a little, but like Balin, he was dirty from the battle. Dis turned and led the pair to the bedroom. As they entered, Dis noticed Naya's eyes shifting to the stretcher. It almost seemed as though she smiled ever so slightly.

The dwarves put the stretcher on the floor and lifted Thorin onto the bed beside his wife. He grunted in pain as they shifted him but then was silent. Naya was awake now, her eyes fastened on Thorin's face. "I was beginning to worry you wouldn't make it," she whispered. "I was afraid I would have to go on alone."

Thorin painfully turned his head until he was returning her gaze. "After all you have done for me, I wouldn't dream of letting you go without me."

Naya's hand was lying next to his body. Bryn heard another soft whisper, just one word. "Hand".

As he had so many years ago, Thorin slowly moved his hand down to cover hers. "Anything you ask for. You're my responsibility."

Bryn thought later that she was probably the only one to see it except for the cats, who all sat up suddenly. The others were not as tuned to the Arkenstone as she. When Thorin's hand covered Naya's, the stone she held in her other hand suddenly glowed like never before. In seconds, the glow grew to encompass the two bodies on the bed and then expanded out to fill the room. A few moments later, it had dissipated and was gone. Thorin Oakenshield and Valinaya Beorning were dead.

Balin bent over the bodies. When he stood, he said gruffly, "The King is dead, long live the King."

Erebor 3020

Fili raised his hand to knock on the carved wooden door and then paused as he heard voices. He smiled to himself. It was good for Bryn to have visitors. She spent too much time alone these days. It had been a year since Naya and Thorin had died during the second battle for Erebor. Even though it had not been unexpected, Bryn had had a hard time adjusting. He knocked.

"Come in," Bryn called. She slipped the Arkenstone into her pocket and turned to face the door. Her father poked his head around the door.

"I'm sorry for interrupting, I can come back…." He stopped talking when he realized there was no one else in the room. "I thought I heard voices."

Bryn's head dropped. "I was talking to the cats. There's no one else here." The cats had stayed on with Bryn after Naya's death.

"We've talked about this, my dear. You're spending too much time alone in these rooms. You know I promised Naya you could live here, but I don't want you to isolate yourself. Naya wouldn't want to see you like this." He knew how much Bryn had admired her aunt. He hoped invoking her name would help.

"I was in the Healing Room all this morning, Adad. Sometimes it's nice to be alone. There are so many people in Erebor these days." At times she felt smothered by all the attention she got as the daughter of the king and a healer in her own right.

"Very well, as long as you don't spend the whole day alone. I came to get the Arkenstone. We will be having guests later today and I want to show it to them." He sat down in the chair next to Bryn's.

She slowly reached into her pocket and drew the gem out. It sparkled and shone in her hand. She handed it to Fili reluctantly. "When can I have it back? I use it for my work."

Fili had never understood how Bryn and Naya used the Arkenstone to heal people, or why Naya had been so insistent that Bryn be the custodian of it after Naya was gone. "I will return it when I can. It doesn't really belong to you, Bryn, no matter what Naya said."

"But Adad, you don't understand. I need it. Naya wanted me to have it." There was tension in her voice. "It helps me."

Fili looked at her. "Don't beg, Bryn. It is beneath you. I will return it when I can." He started to stand.

"Wait. I want to try and show you something." Bryn reached out to him. "Sit down and give me the stone."

Fili returned to the chair and reached out his hands towards her. She put her hands over them, enclosing the stone between them. "Now, close your eyes and open your ears!" This had been a favorite saying between them when she was a little girl, and he wanted her to listen to him. Fili smiled at the memory and did as she said. With his eyes closed, he tried to hear something, but there was nothing. Just as he was about to open his eyes, he thought he heard faint laughter. He concentrated harder.

After another minute, he opened his eyes. "What is this, Bryn? I can hear voices, but I don't know what they are saying. And I would swear there is a bird in this room."

"It's Naya's last wish, Adad. Remember how she demanded that you bring Thorin to her, no matter what? And how, when Balin did, she melded her hand to his so they couldn't be parted? She had the Arkenstone in her other hand and I think she somehow transferred her and Thorin's essences into these walls. Every once in a while I catch a glimpse of someone walking under the trees. I swear it's the two of them together forever." She actually saw quite a bit more, but her father would think she was crazy if she told him.

Fili smiled at her. "That's a nice thought, Bryn, especially if it makes you feel better, but I doubt it. Now, I must be off. I will see you in the morning." He gave her a kiss and walked out.

After her father left, Bryn looked at her walls. Even without the Arkenstone, she could see the faintest hint of a couple holding hands under the trees. "Don't worry, Naya and Thorin, I'll have the stone back tomorrow and we can continue our chat then." She sat back and smiled happily. What her father didn't believe wouldn't hurt him. The cats purred.

THE END

Well, that's the end. I hope you all enjoyed my little venture into fanfiction.

Thanks, Borys, for all the reviews. Much appreciated. Everyone else, feel free to review the completed item!

Thanks for reading. If you follow me, you can expect another story in the not too distant future. I was struck over the head by Calliope the Muse of Writing the other day. It will be much shorter than this one and, I hope, kind of funny. Again centered around Middle-earth.