Someone to Watch Over Me

Chapter Twenty-Nine

The return journey to Erebor was uneventful and not much had changed in Erebor itself in the time they had been gone. Seren stood at the threshold of the destroyed entrance, her heart hammering her ribs as she stared up at the debris and rubble everywhere. The sense of foreboding wasn't nearly as strong as it had been the last time she stood in this same spot.

She looked over her shoulder. The plains still bore the scars of battle—abandoned equipment, weapons, several orc corpses remained scattered about. The wind whipped through with a low moan, as if carrying the howls of the dead to whatever afterlife lay beyond Middle Earth. It sent a shiver along her spine as the howls seemed to grow louder. Even the sunlight felt muted here, dull and without warmth.

It was eerily quiet as well. The way the winds blew, they carried any noise of Dale in the opposite direction, so it was as if the city itself was abandoned once more. Only the lights in the distance gave any indication that life had resumed there once more.

She started when Thorin came up and slid his hand into hers, linking their fingers. "Are you all right, love?"

"I am. I think. I don't know." She looked up at him, reaching up to pull her hair away from her eyes as the wind blew it straight over them. There was little sense in fighting with her braid. The wind whipped hard enough that her hair still pulled free from the plait. "I know this is your home, and will be mine as well, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't uncomfortable about being here."

He turned toward her. "I can hardly fault you that. But, you've no need to worry, no need to be afraid. I am not going to let the gold rule me again."

"You didn't think it would the first time."

"And now I know it can." He caught her free hand in his as well and gave her hands a gentle squeeze. "Everything will be all right now. I promise you this, Seren."

She bit back a sigh as she met his gaze, wanting so badly to believe him, and yet was so afraid that he'd be blindsided again. But, at the same time, she had to trust him, had to show she had faith in him.

His thumbs grazed hers. "Let's go home, princess."

"Stop calling me princess."

"Never. Well," he leaned over to just brush her lips with his, "at least not until you're officially my queen."

She rolled her eyes. "Are you going to insist on calling me queen, then?"

"I don't know. I might." He straightened up and released one hand to stand beside her once more. "I'm curious to see if Dáin managed any improvements in my absence."

She swallowed hard and offered up no resistance as Thorin resumed his stride toward the entrance. His thumb grazed hers again and again as she let him lead her across the threshold and into the city.

Dáin and his dwarves had begun clearing out and restoring Erebor, but there was far more work to be done. They'd managed to sweep most of the dirt and debris from the entrance, and even washed down the walls. To her surprise, the great room was almost cozy, the black marble clean and polished free of the talon and scorch marks left behind by Smaug. Torches attached to the walls flickered with near-merriment, their shadows dancing along the high-pitched ceiling and the gleaming walls. Slipping her hand from Thorin's, Seren crossed over to one wall, peering up in awe at the delicate designs of gold and silver threading through the marble. She recognized none of the writing, nor the symbols, but she certainly saw the beauty in each.

Dáin greeted Thorin with a booming, "Aye, about time ye showed yer ugly mug back here, Cousin!"

"Is that any way to greet a returning king?" Thorin countered with a laugh and as she peered over her shoulder, Seren smiled as the cousins embraced.