Erebor's Guardian

Chapter 27

My heart fluttered realizing that I was, and technically still, engaged to Thorin.

"I spent many long nights teaching Thorin of our ways so he would know what to do." Sundriel explained.

"You were setting me up?" I snarled getting to my feet.

His head raised up calmly. "No. You loved Thorin and he loved you. I simply taught him our culture and ways so when you did marry he knew his new people. The same you will do when you marry Thorin. You will learn their history, cultures, holidays and possibly Khuzdual."

I laid back down, finding truth in his words. "If this courtship was so under wraps then how did Drannor find out about it?"

"When you gave Thorin his courtship braids, and he accepted, technically in dwarven culture you were officially engaged. That gave King Thror the right to announce his grandson's engagement hence the party."

"So, you think Drannor found out and then somehow tipped off Smaug?"

"During the fight I saw Drannor calmly leaving the room where we made our last stand against Smaug. At the time I didn't think anything of it until now."

"We fell into his trap?"

Sundriel sighed. "In a way it was good that we did. The blow from Smaug's tail nearly killed you. Drannor's spell gave you a second chance."

"When I came back, why couldn't I remember anything? I could only feel this pull towards the mountain. I still do." I laid down on the cold hard ground.

"Perhaps it's a part of you waiting in Erebor or a calling to your kingdom."

"But it was burnt down."

"Magical lands don't just vanish Lakota. Blessed land is blessed land. It's your home, it's who you are and it just does not go away no matter how powerful the magic is."

I rested my head on my paws. "Sundriel...can I be honest with you?"

"Of course."

"I'm scared." I squeezed my eyes shut tightly. "Every time I close my eyes I see the victims I couldn't save in Erebor. I can still smell them burning and I'm scared that if I go back and awaken that dragon...I'm afraid I won't defeat him. I'm afraid more people will die."

"Lakota..." Sundriel's voice was soft. "I'm going to tell you something no living soul knows."

"What?" I opened my eyes to see him rise and lay next to me. His body curled around mine keeping the cold at bay. "I'm scared too."

"You?"

"Even mercenaries get scared," His muzzle nuzzled my ear. "but that fear lets us know we are alive. It gives value to the people we love and that love us in return. There's nothing wrong with being scared. Your father was scared to hold his first sword and even threw up after his first battle."

"Wait, you were there when my father was a little?"

He scoffed. The air from his nose brushed past the fur on my cheek. "I was there when your father was born."

"Fuck you're old." I laughed with the old mercenary.

"Things will be alright. Now sleep while you can."