Save Us

Mountain's Gaze

The Eagles soared through the sky over a great distance and over many landscapes. Thorin remained unconscious in the Eagle's talons; the others worried about him. Fili, feeling like he had lost his uncle, called out to him.

"Thorin!", yelled the blonde prince, with fear in his heart, and in his eyes.

"Le melin, lair cír-achant Thorin*", whispered the elf to the Eagle, while caressing its feathers. It did as it was asked, and she stared at her love's limp body, "Amrâlimê?", came her loud voice. When he didn't move, she stiffened, but then, his fingers twitched, and she smiled, "He's alive, Fili!"

The Eagles approached a massive rock structure shaped like a bear, the Carrock. The Eagle carrying Thorin gently put him and his sword down on a flat area on top of the rock. Another Eagle landed and Gandalf slid off its neck, running toward the unconscious Thorin.

"Thorin! Thorin", still, the King does not respond. Bilbo ran up to them, Mäetharanel approached too. Gandalf placed his hand on Thorin's face and whispered a spell.

Mäetharanel went down to one knee and looked on as her lover stayed with his eyes closed. Soon, his eyes fluttered open and he began gasping for air. Sighing, the elf felt tears filling her eyes, and gently grabbed his hand, bringing it up to her face so she could kiss it. Looking at his One, Thorin' eyes filled with love.

"Mäetharanel...", whispered the dwarf while caressing her face. A big tear passed by his thumb, along with a shaky smile, but it came alone. "The halfling?", Gandalf smiled.

"It's all right. Bilbo is here. He's quite safe", everyone was atop the rock, surrounding their king. Dwalin and Kili helped him up, but as soon as he stood on his feet, he shrugged them off. Approaching Bilbo, he glared.

"You! What were you doing? You nearly got yourself killed! Did I not say that you would be a burden? That you would not survive in the wild and that you had no place amongst us?", Thorin advanced until he was face to face with Bilbo, who looked worried and frightened, "I've never been so wrong in all my life!", Thorin grabbed Bilbo and embraced him deeply. The other dwarves cheered loudly and slapped each other on the back, "I am sorry I doubted you."

"No, I would have doubted me too. I'm not a hero or a warrior...not even a burglar", said Bilbo, while he hugged Thorin back, happy the other was alright.

"Excuse me", Mäeth cleared her throat and put her hands on her hips, "I believe I saved you too? Where is my hug?", Thorin smiled, and approached his lover.

"My love, my Queen...", she leaned down and they touched their foreheads.

"Do not do that, ever again", whispered the elf, looking at him with sad eyes, "Please. We almost lost you...", chuckling, he shook his head and caressed her face, her hair, her waist. Their lips met, and their eyes closed. While Kili and Fili made noises of disgust, the others chuckled.

As the Eagles flew away, screeching, Thorin looked behind Bilbo while holding his elf's hand. Walking forward, closer to his dream, the others followed his gaze.

"Is that what I think it is?", asked Bilbo, while looking at the mountain.

"Erebor—The Lonely Mountain. The last of the great dwarf kingdoms of Middle earth", answered Gandalf.

"Our home", Thorin nodded, and Mäetharanel looked towards her own, so, so close to theirs. A bird flew by their side, and Ori gasped and pointed.

"A raven! The birds are returning to the mountain", laughing, Mäeth shook her head. More birds appear, all singing.

"That, my dear Oin, is a thrush", corrected the wizard, while the elf smacked his arm.

"But we'll take it as a sign, a good omen", their King smiled, gently.

"You're right", Bilbo nodded and smiled, too, "I do believe the worst is behind us."

The Company looked on at the Lonely Mountain, the sun appeared behind them. But thrush that had just passed by them went towards a place that, despite having been filled with life not long ago, was now filled with darkness. Flying in front of the ruined gates of Erebor, it finally landed on a rock on the side of the mountain.

It picked up a snail and banged its shell against the side of the mountain. Inside the mountain, a massive pile of gold, coins, jewels, and treasures was piled up in the throne room, and the sounds of the thrush echo through the massive chambers.

Some gold is blown away, the dragon that made the life inside the Mountain end, is revealed. As Smaug slowly raised his head from beneath the pile, more treasure fell away from his face.

The dragon that had been asleep, opened its eyes, with a growl.

E ND O F T H E U N E X P E C T E D J O U R N E Y

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*Please, fly closer to Thorin.