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Thorin's Heart ~ Chapter 11

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Chapter 11 ~ Whispers in the Dark

Thorin awoke suddenly and was wrapped in a sticky net of web. Some unknown poison had left his body numb and was making him sleepy again.  He could barely breathe and concentrated on how he got in this mess.

They had traveled on the path for days, eventually using all provisions and water.  Despite Beorn and Gandalf’s warnings, they had left the path looking for food.  Things also took a nasty turn when Bombar drank from the river he had fell in.  He passed out into a sleeping sickness and they had to drag him continuing on their way.
 
That night the darkness was so thick they could not even see their hands in front of their faces.  They sat in a circle close to each other praying the screaming night noises would not find their way to them.  Thorin finally was able to close his eyes and rest, thinking of Kale’s warmth close against him.  He heard her laugh and smelled her scent in the wind.  The air was thick with odd smells of rotting wood and mildewed soil, and yet with the slightest breeze he would breathe her in and picture her standing there waiting for him. Yet, no one else seemed to notice. He prayed she was ok and that maybe somehow she was able to call to him.  He even thought he tasted her on his lips, or was he just going crazy?

Whenever he was finally about to doze, a flash of light woke him.  He stood and looked into the black forest at a glowing light filling the trees.  He grabbed everyone he could feel close to him, showing them the light.  They all rose and walked slowly in the direction hoping it would lead them to food.  They stood in the trees’ shadows and peered inside the circle.  They saw elves sitting around tables having a feast but as soon as they exposed themselves for help the lights would go out and they stood in darkness again. They were left wondering around with hands outstretched in the air trying to find each other.  This went on for some time as they would make their way further into the forest, following another glowing light. The lights would go out again and they would wander farther and farther away from each other.  Thorin growled under his breath at the folly and unkind humor of the elves until the lights went out completely and there he was unable to move and unable to barely breathe.  

Spiders, he thought, the webbing, the dizziness and feeling of not being able to stay awake.  He was wrapped tight unable to reach Orcrist, unable to yell, unable to move.  He was so tired and hungry.  The comfort of the poison left him with little worries as he began to doze again.  “Kale,” he thought suddenly as he saw her face.  “Kale,” he started to move and wiggle trying to wake himself up.  He tried to use all his strength to move and free himself, until he heard a noise. With a slice he was suddenly looking up at Bilbo standing blurrily in front of him.
 
“Get up Thorin.”  He saw him screaming, but barley heard his voice.
 
“Run, run!”  Thorin’s ears felt blocked and he shook his head trying to clear his mind.  Bilbo helped him stand the best he could and Thorin held onto to him taking in the sight of waking dwarves from their nettings trying to regain their feet as well.

Kili and Fili came to Thorin’s side taking Bilbo’s place and they started to run, dragging Thorin with them. Spiders were appearing everywhere and Bilbo was trying to divert them again using his ring, taunting them in the other direction.  He had used his ring earlier to lead them away from the wrapped dwarves and had made it back just in time to free them before they returned.
 
They made it far as Thorin’s legs could carry him and he fell. He turned behind him, pulling Orcrist from his sheath, and the spiders stood outside their circle frozen with fear, moving in and out one at a time. They were screeching the most awful sound until they turned and retreated.  Thorin had thought the sight of Orcrist had done the trick, until he turned around and saw an army of elves standing behind him.  The elves borders must protect them from such creatures, Thorin thought, as he lie down on his back exhausted.  

“Kale, my love, Kale, baby.”  Kale was groggy as she heard Thorin’s voice.  But the more he whispered it seemed to grow lighter filling the air around her and she opened her eyes and he was gone and she heard her father calling her name.

“Thorin, “she whispered. Trying to piece together the fragments he had left in her dreams.  She held her father’s hand that was pressing on her cheek and a tear slide down breaking his heart.  She was not improving like he had hoped.  She needed Thorin.
 
“It was just a dream baby,” she heard her father say.
 
He held her head up for water that she sipped until she choked.  He held a cloth to her forehead and whispered words of prayer over her as she dozed again.
Thorin sat alone in a cold dark cell.  The constant drip of water was enough to drive him over the edge, but he hung on.
 
They were dragged into the Kingdom of Thranduil hidden in the depths of Mirkwood.  Thorin would have rather been eaten by the spiders than to stand before their King, the one who had abandoned Thorin’s people so long ago.   The one who had watched his home being destroyed as his people were being killed. The elven king stood by and did nothing. Thorin looked at Thranduil as being lowlier than Smaug himself, a hoarder of gold and time.  
 
It took all the strength Thorin had to keep from exposing himself.  He would tell him nothing of their quest, except he was starving.  Their meeting was brief and luckily Thranduil did not recognize him but seemed to stare at the necklace around his neck. He looked quite puzzled as if he knew it, but could not place where he had seen it before.
 
No one would speak as Thranduil questioned them.  He laughed at the thought of having prisoners, and kept their weapons including Orcrist, and sent them to his many cells throughout his maze of caverns until they decided to talk.  Thranduil knew that would break the silence of the dwarves.  He had all the time in the world and they did not.

Thorin would rather the dragon keep the treasure than have it in the hands of Thranduil, but the more he sat, the more he began to die inside with thoughts of Kale surrounding him.  

Despair seemed to consume him as the days passed.  They would give him little food and water and he knew Thranduil would win this war.  His time away from Kale was killing him, etching away at his very soul. He had only one way out until he heard Bilbo’s voice.  
“Thank God I found you,” Bilbo whispered but he could not see him.  “Hold on Thorin I’m trying to find us a way out.  Everyone is scattered throughout this maze of a palace and there are no ways out or in that aren’t heavily guarded.  It is a labyrinth, but I will find a way Thorin.”

He explained about the ring he had found long ago in the Misty Mountains and how it made him invisible preventing him from capture. It had saved him in the mountain, from the spiders, and the elves. Thorin did not seem amused or surprised he just nodded his head unable to speak.  He wanted to put his complete faith in the hobbit, but he felt better off telling Thranduil everything and even then his release was not certain.  He was alone again as Bilbo stealthily slipped away.  

As another day drew on, Thorin began to grow stir crazy.  He had not heard from Bilbo and despair was setting in.  He imagined the elves putting unknown things in his food that made his time there unbearable.  He sunk to the floor and the room began to spin.  He was slowing falling apart as he heard her voice.

“Thorin,” she called out to him an echo softly hanging in the air.

He turned around holding his arms over his face to protect his eyes from the blinding light that radiated within her.  He was suddenly kneeling in a forest surrounded by moonlit trees.  Tall grasses blew in the wind tickling his hands and he could hear a soft flowing stream in the distance.

“Kale?”

“Hold on Thorin.  Hold on my love, for me.”  She got on her knees and wrapped herself in his arms.  He could smell her sweet scent mixed with the cool breeze and honeysuckles that lingered in the air.  He quietly wept knowing that this couldn’t be real, but held her anyway to feel the comfort of her embrace and taste the sweetness of her kiss.  He did not care if this was a dream or plan from Thranduil attempting to make him weak and vulnerable.  He had found comfort, even if it was just for a moment. He could actually breathe for once since leaving her presence so many countless weeks ago.  She wiped his tears kissing them one by one.

“What is happening?” he found the courage to say. “Is this real?”  

She touched her necklace that was hanging around his neck. “Oh, it is! I’m warm and alive and want to be in your arms. We are bound you and I.  Nothing can part us. My sweet Thorin, I am always with you,” she whispered kissing him again.  “Hang on my love, you have to come back to me. Please have faith in Bilbo as I do in you.”  

He shook his head sadly.  “I miss you so much.  I am nothing without you.  You are what has kept me going.  If I could go back I would never have left.” He took her face in his hands. “This was a fool’s folly and I am such a fool.”

A tear slide down her cheek, it broke her heart to see him falling apart.  He had been through so much and was slowly giving up.

She took his face in her hands and leaned in close looking deeply into his eyes.  “I will never blame you for trying to do right by your people and your wife.  You are trying to give us back the home that was stolen from you long ago, our home.”

“I can’t breathe in this place, Kale. I’m slowly suffocating being without you.”

Tears spilled from her eyes as he searched for words to help give him peace and strength.  It broke her heart to see him so helpless and she could feel the pull that would cause her to slip away.  She needed more time with him.  How could she bear to loose him again and be pulled from his side?  She swallowed the icy stab of panic and tried to gain courage to be strong for him, her poor broken Thorin.   She swallowed the thump in her throat that threatened her fear and kissed his lips once more, long and slow, savoring the taste and warmth that comforted her when no one else could.

“Close your eyes, my love, she whispered.”

He shook his head sadly refusing and she kissed them both until his head sunk slowly and they were closed.  

She took a deep breath to steady herself, seeing him before her and at her mercy. “Now picture our life together darling that I promise will be soon.”

“Don’t leave me,” he begged.

“Never,” she whispered holding his face. He placed his hands over hers, refusing to let her go. He knew she was slipping away and was trying to brace himself.

“You are going to get our kingdom ready.  Our room and bed made, with the softest of blankets, but not as soft as your body against mine.”  She saw him smile sadly.
 
“My forest cleaned and beautiful flower gardens planted.  A crib made for our little one.” He held her hands tighter. They were still placed on his face and she could feel him shaking and crumbling.  She kissed his lips softly trying to still soothe him.

She could barely speak, losing her voice to his pain.  She swallowed the lump, trying to be strong for him.  “At home, whenever I look up, there will be you.  And whenever you look up, there I shall be.  This is the life I want to have with you, my love.  And yes, I have complete faith in you.  Be strong, my love for you grows stronger and more unbreakable every day.  Even if we are parted for this time, you are in my heart and thoughts every second.  I dream of the day you come back to me.  We will be together again.  I want you to see my belly grow. No one can take that from us! I love you,” she whispered, kissing his forehead.  He took her into his arms fiercely as her voice started to fade.
 
“I love you, Kale. I love you so much!”

“I love you, my Thorin.”

His arms were soon empty and a cold shudder ran down his spine from the loss of her presence and he knew she was gone.  He unwillingly opened his eyes to the blackness of his prison, his heart burning alive with hope and dying at her loss at the same time.
   
Back in Rivendell Kale sat up in her bed taking in a long breath.  She had been with him. She could still feel his warmth around her and his taste on her lips.  She looked over in the chair and saw Galadriel’s soft smile and understood. Galadriel knew that she needed to be with him, even if it was for a moment. Galadriel could see the vast improvement of her condition already.
 
“Thank you,” Kale whispered with tears rolling down her cheeks.
 
“Everything is going to be ok,” she smiled joining her on the bed and taking her in her arms.  “You know I don’t think I have ever got to hold you.  You were always so shy as a child and your father and brother were very protective.  Your power and love has always been so addicting.  I had wanted you for myself, but I see now that leaving you here was the right decision.  You were never meant for any of us but we are blessed to have you as part of our life, my little bird.”

Galadriel had called her “little bird” from the moment she saw her.  He wide eyes and tiny body that moved quickly to hide from her, made her smile, and she longed to have her.  But Brakin would never let her go.  She knew now she was put in their path to lead her to Thorin, she was his. Their job was to take care of her for him until he arrived. She was the true key that went with his map and heart.

Galadriel knew that if Thorin could reclaim Erebor the kingdom would be stronger than ever and would help keep evil at bay. She also knew this was Gandalf’s plan all along. As long as Thorin lived, Middle Earth would be protected and darkness would sink back into shadows afraid of such a mighty king. Thorin would then have his strength and could not be overcome. She could feel that Kale’s absence was brutal for him, but she was happy she could give them that moment together.

“Thorin will be a mighty king, but only if you and your little ones are by his side.”  Kale smiled to think of their children surrounding them in their kingdom and she closed her eyes, praying for such a glorious day.

Brakin was asleep in the chair and awoke, startled at the sight of seeing her sitting up in the bed.  He ran by her side and took her in his arms.  Tears of joy fell from his eyes.  

“My baby,” he whispered as the tears flowed down his cheeks.  

“I’m ok, now Ada, I’m ok,” she cried with him.

Rafe ran into the room after hearing them from outside.  He had not gone far but knew that his betrayal had cost him dearly.  He stood on the side of the bed praising God that she seemed to be improving. He kneeled down quietly beside them.  He slowly reached his hand to hers and she pulled it away quickly deflecting his touch.

“Kale, I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“Not now.”  Brakin said sternly and Rafe stood helpless and walked to the corner of the room and met Galadriel’s cold stare.  He glared in return and then swiftly left the room.  What had he done?
This made me cry :( When she repeated things he had told her when they last were parted, it just melted my heart. I feel like they are telling me the story and I'm just doing the typing ;)

Inspiring Music: The Fray ~ Be Still [link]

Chapter 12 ~ Broken [link]

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fmpm's avatar
I love how Galadriel made it possible for them to have this moment of lightness and purity in the darkness. I also like that Kale has not forgiven her Brother for his actions, he would have to do something heroic to gain her forgiveness for what he almost cost her. I am truly mesmerized by how well your story flows together. It truly is inspired writing.