Run It Back Again (Part 2)

Chapter 46

*Era's Pov-

All around me, the sky glowed red while I ran through the open fields outside Gondor.  Behind me, massive armies of Orcs, lead by Sauron and Azog, charged, heading right for me.  I cried out as I ran but couldn't move.  All I could do was watch the army get closer and closer...

*Thorin's Pov-

I paced outside Era's room, waiting for Skyrena and the human, Eowyn.  I felt as though it was all my fault.  If only I had listened to what Era asked for...  If only I had listened to Skyrena...  If onlt I had tried harder to protect Era but had not driven her away...  I froze when the door opened and Skyrena came out.

"How is she?"  Skyrena rubbed her hands on her dress as she spoke.

"Very weak, but she'll live."  I heaved a sigh of relief and hugged Skyrena.

"It's my fault, isn't it?"  She looked up at me, frowning.

"How can Sauron rising be your fault?  How can Era getting hurt while fighting Sauron be your fault?"  She shook her head and lifted my chin up.  "You did what you could, Thorin.  Unfortunately, Era had too big of a task to handle, but she was right in doing it.  If she hadn't fought Sauron, Middle Earth would have fallen, and we would have been enslaved."  I shook my head.

"Why not one of us, then?  Why her?"  Skyrena smiled at me.

"Because she has more control over herself than even I do.  However, that also means she is stronger.  Being only half shapeshifter, her control gave her the ability to do even greater things than any of us could have imagined.  Like the energy dome and changing someone into a shapeshifter..."  She shook her head at me.  "But, when she fights, she's just like you.  Smart, brave, and selfless..."  I hugged Skyrena tighter to my chest.

"And she has as big of a heart as you, Skyrena, as well as just as much wisdom.  I wish I had seen it before..."  I looked down and smiled at her.  "She really has grown up."  Before long, Eowyn came out of the room.

"I finally stopped the bleeding.  Now, you can use the energy to close the wound."  Skyrena nodded and went back into the room.  I followed closely, wanting to see Era.  What I saw wasn't pretty.

She was pale and sweating, her breath hard and forced.  Her head turned every once in a while, but the only sound that came from her were soft, tortured groans.  Skyrena placed a hand to Era's forehead, closing her eyes.

"She's dreaming...  It's a nightmare."  I remembered how, when she was little, she'd wonder through the halls in the middle of the night in search of Skyrena or I after waking up from her nightmares.  And, indeed, they were nightmares that frightened even me.  She always dreamed that Azog was chasing her with a head that kept changing.  I swallowed hard and spoke.

"What is her nightmare?"  Skyrena opened her eyes and looked at me, her eyes glowing gold.

"She's in the ruins of a battle, being attacked by Sauron's whole army, lead by Azog and Sauron himself.  She can't escape, either."  I swallowed hard.

"Can't we do something?"  She smiled as her eyes went back to normal.

"Give me your hand."  I did and closed my eyes.

*Era's Pov-

I finally reached some woods, but Sauroman and his Orcs were there, waiting for me.  Sauron and Azog reached me as well, their armies behind them.

"Give up, halfling shapeshifter...  You've got nothing now."  With that, they laid 5 dead bodies at my feet.  It was Mother, Father, Fili, Kili, and Boromir.  I swallowed back a strangled cry as I fell to my knees.  Above me, Azog raised his sword.

Era...  I froze, knowing it was Father's voice I heard as the sky turned from red to gold.  Don't give up, Era.  We need you.  I glared up at Azog, full of hope once again, and let out a loud, ground shaking roar.  As I did, I watched as everything disappeared into the golden light.

*Thorin's Pov-

"Father...?"  As I opened my eyes, I saw Era had woken up and was looking at me, smiling weakly.  "I had a nightmare."  She sounded so young and vulnerable, like she did when she was little.  I went to her side and knelt down beside her.

"I'm here, Era, and I'm not going to let anything hurt you again."  She started to sit up, but she froze when she winced in pain.

"It hurts..."  I nodded.

"I know."  She looked at me as her eyes drifted closed.

"You promise, Father...?  You promise not to let anything hurt me?"  I nodded.

"I promise, Era."

*Era's Pov-

This time, I was running through the woods outside the Lonely Mountain.  Behind me, Boromir laughed as he chased me through the woods, getting closer and closer.  I laughed as we reached the doors of Erebor and saw Father, Mother, Fili, and Kili waiting on us.  I smiled up at Father as he pulled me into a hug, feeling safe once again.

*Boromir's Pov-

"So, I guess I can't call you a human anymore..."  I turned and saw King Thorin standing behind me.

"I'm sorry, sir, I didn't notice your approach."  He chuckled a little.

"Do you love Era?"  I nodded after a slight delay.

"With all my heart, sir.  And, if she does not love me in return, I will not force her.  Instead, I will be a good friend and companion, whether she be in time of need or not."  He smiled a little.

"Then, I give you my blessing.  If she'll have you, you may have her hand in marriage..."