Erebor's Guardian

Chapter 26

We were high up in the fortress walking along narrow floating pathways carved from what looked like branches. Sundriel's quarters was tucked under another pathway above us in the shadows and would have been easily missed if you were not looking for it. Small hanging torches illuminated the dark caverns in small areas making it easy for us to slip inside unnoticed. My stomach turned sour at the thought of the company locked up.

If Jenna was right and everything followed the book's plan the dwarves would be saved by Bilbo and would reach the door in time. I breathed in and allowed Sundriel to light a candle to shed light in the darkness. His room was small compared to mine back on earth. There was a small hammock hanging above a small desk where blank paper and dried ink pot sat next to the candle. A weapons rack hung neatly next to me leaving little space in the doorway for more than one person. The rack was filled to the brim with elven swords of various lengths. Tucked in the far right corner of the room where the light failed to reach clearly sat a wardrobe.

Sadness crept up on me as my heart sank to see what Middle Earth's deadliest warrior had become. A temporary mercenary tossed in a cleaning closet. My fingers traced the cold steel of his dual blades that were beautifully engraved with elvish prayers. How often did he come back disappointed and heartbroken?

"It's not your fault you know?" Sundriel's honeyed voice enveloped my mind. "Your disappearance had nothing to do with the fall of Celab Taure."

"But if I stayed instead of becoming Erebor's guardian and finished my training neither kingdom would have fallen."

"No one could have done better that day. The fact that we fought on and got so many out shows that we regrouped. We were unprepared. The only thing we can do now is prevent it from happening again."

I smiled at him, lowering my hand from his blade. "Thorin said the same thing."

"Another wise leader like yourself." He came over holding up Celeb Taure elvish armor doused in sage green and black layered together for flexibility. Between each plate of armor was fluffs of grey and black fur poking out for added warmth. The chest plate felt thick to the touch made of old dragon hide and dyed to hide its true identity. Randomly throughout the hide laid gashes and nicks that had been repaired over the years. Each battle scar was a reminder of the time spent as Erebor's guardian fighting orcs. "I scavenged everything I could find of yours back in Erebor."

My head snapped up at him. "You went inside after the fall?"

The old warrior nodded. "It was a long climb up the front gate and down again. I managed to squeeze through a hole between the boulders and get inside. It was like a fresh tomb. Things were still burning, the stench of death filled the mountain but there was not a single sign of life. I made my way to your chambers and found your armor and short swords. I had left vowing to never return." Tears spilled over his cheeks.

I gently wiped them away. "I am truly sorry, Sundriel."

He shook his head, his platinum blond hair waving back and forth over his shoulders. "Don't be. I went there by my own free will. But now I will be returning right by your side. Come, we don't have much time."

Sundriel helped me change into my old elven armor that hugged my body and supported my back with a perfect posture. The lower half of my armor was made of deep sage leather and leather covered plating for my thighs and shins. My black boots hugged my calves forcing me to walk mostly on my toes for added silence and agility. Sundriel put on my weaponry that was made years ago by the dwarves of Erebor for lightweight steel. I tucked Thorin's dagger into my boots with a small prayer that they would make it out alive and unscathed. Sundriel and I packed provisions into two packs in case we got separated and I packed my old armor wanting to keep it with me. Sundriel unlaced his chest armor and tucked a small brown leather book between the steel plate and his body.