Run It Back Again (Part 2)

Chapter 7

*Skyrena's Pov-

I was in the woods, being hunted by a huge pack of Orcs.  I was running so hard, I stumbled.  Before the Orcs could reach me, the sky errupted in fire, and the eye of Sauron was staring down at me.

*Fili's Pov-

"So, should we take Era out for a ride and see how she's handling all this?"  I shrugged as I took a stroll through the halls.

"I don't know...  I think she might be mad at me."  Kili rolled his eyes.

"Oh, please.  You remember the one time when you almost killed her during training because the blade slipped from your hand?"  I nodded, smiling a little.

"Yeah...  I would have sworn she'd be bringing my head to Uncle.  She was so mad!"  He chuckled a little and nodded.

"You and I both know she can't hold a grudge for very long.  I'm sure she's in there, getting ready to go out for a ride."  He nodded off towards the hall where her chambers were.  "Come on, just a ride!"  I sighed and nodded.

"Alright, but you ask.  I'm sure she's mad at me, though."  He rolled his eyes and started down the hall to Era's chambers.  When we arrived, he knocked on the door.

"Era...?"  No response.  "Era, it's me, Kili!  Do you want to go riding with Fili and I?"  There was still no answer.  I stepped up and spoke.

"Era, I understand if you're mad at me.  But, I swear I wanted to tell you!  Uncle Thorin made me promise not to say a word until the banquet.  Please, don't be mad at me!"  There was still no response, which mad me nervous.  "Era...?"  I placed my ear to the door.  "Era, are you in there?"  Kili swallowed hard as I looked over at him.

"Maybe she's still asleep..."  However, he didn't sound so sure.

Expecting the worst, we opened the door, and I gasped.  All the weapons she kept in her room were gone, and her bed was so clean, it was as if no one had slept in it.  I swallowed hard and looked over at Kili, who paled.

"This is not good..."  He looked over at me.

"We have to tell Thorin."

*Thorin's Pov-

"Did you find her?"  Balin and Dwalin shook their heads.

"No, Thorin.  She's not in the woods outside the mountain."  Skyrena came running into the throne room, breathing hard.

"I flew over the whole area from the borders of Mirkwood to the lake to everywhere within a 30 mile radius."  She shook her head as Balin steadied her before she could collapse.  "She's not anywhere near here."  Tauriel stepped up.

"I can travel to Mirkwood to deliver a message to King Thraudril and alert him of the situation.  With luck, he or his men might have found her."  Kili shook his head.

"But, you've been banished!"  She shook her head.

"If he's told what has happened, he will understand.  But, we have to try."  He nodded.

"I'll go with you, then."  As they took off, Balin helped Skyrena to her seat while Dwalin spoke.

"We'll alert the men of Dale and see if anyone spotted her.  If we haven't found her by nightfall, we may have to dispatch a hunting party through Middle Earth."  I nodded and waved them away.

"Go to Dale and see if you can find her.  If not, we'll see what needs to be done when everyone returns."  Dwalin nodded and left, followed by Balin.  I pinched the bridge of my nose and shook my head.

"This is all my fault, Skyrena..."  She shook her head and rested a hand on my arm.

"We'll find her, Thorin..."  I stood up and began to pace around the throne room.

"Maybe I shouldn't have been so hard on her...  Maybe I should have spoken with her regarding all this...  Maybe, if I had...  I should have..."  I sighed and shook my head in defeat.  "I don't know what I should have done in order to avoid this."  She came over and stood before me, looking up at me.

"We're going to find her, Thorin.  I'm sure there's a logical explanation behind all this.  But, she knows you love her and would never run off forever because she doesn't want to hurt you in any way, Thorin."  I sighed and pulled my queen into a hug, fighting down a dry swallow.

"You're right...  She couldn't have gone far.  I'm sure that she's somewhere nearby and waiting for things to calm down a bit."  I looked down at Skyrena.  "If she hasn't returned by dawn tomorrow, I'll take Fili, Kili, Dwalin, and Gloin to see if we can find her.  If we have to, we'll trave all over Middle Earth, but we will find her, and we will bring her back."  Skyrena smiled and nodded at me, but I could tell something was bothering her.  "What is it?"  She swallowed hard and lowered her gaze.

"I'm actually really worried about Era, too.  I mean, what if something bad happens to her?  What if...?"  I smiled a little and kissed her cheek.

"I'm worried about her, too.  But, if I know our daughter, she's going to be just fine..."  She nodded.

"I'm sure, too, but I've been having nightmares..."  I frowned as I looked her in the eye.

"What do you mean?"  She trembled slightly in my arms.

"The danger she warned us off before she died so long ago...  It's coming true."  I swallowed hard and looked down at the threshing around Skyrena's neck.

"Did you show her the energy?"  She nodded.

"She even absorbed the energy into the necklace you gave her years ago to store her energy.  The silver rose with the diamonds embedded in it...?"  I sighed in relief and nodded.

"At least now we know that she will be alright until we can get to her."  She nodded and lowered her gaze.

"We still have to find her before the enemy finds her first."  I nodded.

"You'll be staying here, where you'll be safe.  I'll alert Mirkwood and Dale on what is happening before I leave."  I tilted her chin up.  "Promise me you'll be safe.  No fighting...?"  She nodded.  "Then I promise I'll bring her home, safe."  She nodded again.