Child Of Light

Go to him

Thorin sat silently in his room, staring into the fire and playing mindlessly with the ring he had proposed to Erica with. His mind couldn't understand. Why didn't she say yes? Was it too soon? Didn't she love him? He couldn't tell.

He sighed and ran a hand over his tired face as Balin entered the room "Thorin. We need to leave now" he said.

"Not without her" Thorin bit back. His love had been missing since she ran off. He knew all to well she wouldn't stray out of the town. He wanted to know if she was alright.

"Thorin, she will be fine. I spoke with Bard. Even though he's not too fond of us he told me he will look after her if she returns to the house" Balin explained.

"I will not have that man near her..." Thorin growled but Balin laid a hand on his shoulder to calm him "calm yerself Thorin. I trust him, she's in good hands. Now we must leave. Now" Balin urged. Thorin sighed and nodded in defeat "I just do not understand Balin..." He whispered

Balin smiled "lad ye need tae give her time. Remember she's only a young lass. She loves ye dearly but...maybe it was too soon. Ye were possibly just too caught up in the moment" the old dwarf suggested. Thorin pinched the bridge of his nose "perhaps your right dear friend" he mumbled. Balin patted his shoulder "come on. Let's get ourselves moving" he urged. Thorin nodded and stood up. He looked at the ring in his hand and put it in his breast pocket close to his heart.

(With Erica)

Bard approached Erica with a cup in his hand "drink this. Your colder than you were before" he whispered. Erica glanced at him and sighed, taking the hot drink from his hands with her shivering ones. "Thank you Bard..." She whispered. Bard sat in front of her "I do not understand. Why refuse his proposal? I thought you loved him?" He finally asked. The girl before him sighed and looked out the window.

"I do Bard...but..." Erica began.

"But what?" Bard pressed on. Erica gulped "Bard, I've been cursed..." She whispered.

"Cursed? But...but how? Is it your ice magic?" He asked. Erica shook her head, letting the tears out "No! There...there's a light and a dark side to my inner power. The dark side, Drax. She's done something to the light, Yue! Drax is freezing my heart so she can be free!" She sobbed.

"But if your heart freezes then..."

"I die! I die Bard! Now do you see why I won't marry him!? He will go mad! It's better if I just spare him the grief and stay away!" She whimpered. Bard quickly hugged the girl to him, rubbing her back to comfort her "can't anything be done?" He asked softly. She shook her head in his shoulder. "Bard I WANT to marry him but I can't. I can't let him see me die like this...."

"Will you stop that!" Bard hissed pushing her back, holding her firmly by the shoulders "you aren't going to die! There must be a..a loop hole of some sorts to break this curse!" He exclaimed.

"There isn't Bard! Accept it! I...."

A sharp pain crossed over her chest making her gasp and clutch her chest "Erica!" Bard gasped. He held her hand as she squirmed in pain, taking slow breaths "it's starting..." She gasped.

A sharp knock on the door startled the two so Bard quickly got up to answer. When he opened the door he tried to shut it.

"Ooooh no! I've had enough dwarfs for the day!" He growled

"Please! No one else will help us! Kilis sick!"

Erica recognised his voice as Bofurs and dragged herself to the door seeing Bofur, Oin, Fili and a very grey looking Kili.

"Erica! yer alright lass!" Fili sighed.

"Forget about me right now, get Kili in here! Bard get some hot water on the go now!" She ordered. Bard went to argue until he realised how sick the young dwarf was. Guilt tugged at his heart so he ran inside getting to work while Erica helped bring Kili inside "Erica, uncle, worries for you" Kili mumbled.

Erica laid him on the bed "I know sweetheart everything's gonna be fine" she whispered. Kili nodded and closed his eyes to sleep.

"Erica...I think ye should go to him lass. He's been distraught all night" Fili said softly. Erica gripped the bed post.

"Fili I..."

"Please Erica...he...he wanted to walk in those doors with you by his side. He said so last night" Fili explained.

"But drunk ye know!" Bofur piped up.

Erica wanted to badly but her heart twigged in pain. She knew it would be a matter of time until her heart fully froze...

"Lass. If ye go now. Ye can catch up" Oin spoke. Erica looked at the dwarfs before her and then to Bard who nodded his head. Without a word she kissed Kilis head and ran out the door down to the docks. She saw no boats and gulped. She knew she had to use her powers. With a deep breath she sprinted on to the water, making ice steps as she went.

'Arent you a good girl going back to your man. Soon enough you'll be done' Drax cackled in her head. Erica ignored it as she saw the small boat ahead.

She sprinted even faster catching up to the band of dwarfs and the hobbit.

Ori spotted her in the distance and grinned "Look! It's Erica! She came!" He announced happily. The dwarfs turned their heads seeing her run to them "thank Mahal she's alright!" Balin sighed.

As she got closer Thorin reached his hand out as did she. He grabbed her small hand and pulled her on the boat.

"Am I late?" She teased lightly.

Thorin chuckled weakly "slightly love..." He whispered hugging her to him.

Erica smiled in his chest and looked towards the mountain, ignoring the cold pain in her heart as the ice around it slowly grew.