Run It Back Again (Part 1)

Chapter 42

 Bilbo didn't say anything at first, so I continued.

"Look, if Balin says that it's best if Thorin never gets it, then I'm with him.  However, if you have found it, you're in grave danger.  He's sworn vengence on the one who finds it and doesn't return it to him.  Please, tell me if you have so I can help you!"  He lowered his voice and nodded.

"Yes, I found it when I was facing Smaug.  I took it and have had it since.  Please, don't turn me in to Thorin."  I smiled at him.

"I won't.  I promise, Bilbo.  I will suggest you dispose of it.  I don't care how, just do it.  I'll make sure Thorin doesn't catch you."  He nodded and walked off.  I smiled and went looking for Thorin, only to find him in the armory with the others, even Balin.  He was dressed in his grandfather's armor.

"Skyrena...  Where have you been?"  I shrugged, hoping the crack in my voice didn't give me away.

"Just wandering the halls."  He frowned and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"Afraid they'll take our treasure, are you?"  Before I could respond, he continued.  "Don't worry, my queen.  I won't let them.  Neither will the others."  He pulled me towards the armory.  "Since you can't see to stay out of trouble, I thought, maybe, you could fight beside me tomorrow?"  He held up some armor.  "Will this do?"  I smiled a little as I tapped against the metal with a finger.

"It might..."  He smiled in return.

"Try it on."  It felt a little odd to be wearing armor with a dress, but I figured my old travel clothes would be suffice in battle if it came to it.  I smiled at him as he stepped back.  "It fits..."  He looked up, and our eyes met.  "I hope we don't have to fight."  I started to respond when he looked past me.  "Master Baggins..."  I turned to see Bilbo passing in the hall.  "Come here!"  Bilbo started towards us, and I lowered my gaze, looking to see what Era could use in her mission come tomorrow.  "Here."  He help up some chain-mail.  "This is for you for the battle tomorrow.  It's a symbol of our friendship.  Good friends are hard to come by..."  I frowned as I looked up at him.

"What do you mean, Thorin?"  He glanced back at the other dwarves.

"One of them has the Arkenstone and is keeping it from me."  I tried not to look at Bilbo.  "It is here, in the mountain.  And, I intend to find it."  I swallowed hard and smiled politely.

"Thorin, isn't that a bit much?  You have the mountain, all your treasure, a queen, and a daughter.  Isn't that enough?"  He shook his head.

"No...  The Arkenstone is the birth right of my people.  It is mine!"  I flinched and nodded.

"Of course..."  With that, I walked off.  I almost made it to my chambers when I realized I was being followed.  Turning, I saw it was Bilbo.  "Don't do that!  You scared me!"  He bit his lip.

"Sorry, Skyrena...  Thorin's gonna kill me if he finds it, isn't he?"  I thought for a moment.  If Thorin found that it was Bilbo, he would.  If he thought something else...  I nodded.

"Yes, but not if it won't get it to him...  Dispose of it in some way, shape, or form tonight!  I will distract him.  But, you have to get rid of it."  I took off again, wondering how I would distract him tonight, for both Era's and Bilbo's sake.

*Era's Pov-

I wandered the halls until I found the armory.  Immediately, I set to work, finding weapons I'd use against Azog and his army of Orcs tomorrow.  So far, I found a set of twin blades, my old sword, a bow, a full quiver of arrows, and several daggers.  I started out of the armory when I heard a voice behind me.

"Era?"  I turned and found myself face to face with Fili, who was looking me up and down.  "You're heavily armed..."  He looked me in the eye.  "Thorin said he wasn't going to let you fight tomorrow."  I glanced around and saw no one else was paying attention to us.

"I swore I'd save your life, Fili...  Can you keep a secret?"  He nodded as I lowered my voice even more.  "I'm heading out tomorrow to fight.  I can't let you guys fight tomorrow.  It'll mean your death."  He sighed and shook his head, his gaze never leaving mine.

"Era, what if something happens to you?"  I shrugged.

"I'm not supposed to be here, Fili.  I'm more disposable than any of you will be in the years to come.  I have to do this, or my journey here will have been for nothing."  He blinked hard and let out a shaky breath.

"I know what this means to you, Era, but I..."  He shook his head.  "What if you're killed?"  I shook my head.

"Then I cease to exist in this timing.  Pure and simple..."  He shook his head harder.

"You don't get it..."  He caught one of my hands and enveloped it in his.  "Thorin cares about you.  Skyrena cares about you."  He lowered his gaze.  "I care about you, Era.  Can you imagine how upset we'd all be if something happened to you?"  I swallowed hard, trying to keep the venom from my voice.

"You don't get it, Fili...  I don't belong here and never will.  I'm not supposed to be here.  There can't be an 'us' in this timing!"  He flinched as I caught myself.  "I'm sorry, Fili, it's not you.  It's...  It's me."  He sighed and shook his head.

"Just promise me you'll be careful, Era..."  I pulled away and nodded, refusing to look at him.  I knew I hurt him, but he was covering it up.  With a short nod of acknowledgement, I took off to find Skyrena, fighting my own tears.