Emerge the Dragonborn | The Hobbit

Chapter 13 - The Journey Ends

Anaynah stood at the threshold of Erebor, her belongings packed and neatly arranged for the journey ahead. She wore fresh clothes, the weight of Orkrist at her side a solemn reminder of the promises and battles of the past. Her horse stood ready, a steady presence in the face of uncertain roads.

The decision to leave weighed heavily on her heart. Fili's promise of a safe and peaceful life in Erebor had been a beacon of hope, but without him, the pain of loss was too raw, too overwhelming. She knew she couldn't stay, not when every corner of the mountain echoed with memories of those who had fallen.

Earlier that day, she had sought out Bard, their conversation heartfelt and bittersweet. Anaynah had explained that while she cherished his friendship and admired his courage to confess his love, her heart could not fully return his affections. She believed he deserved someone who could love him and his children without the constant shadow of danger that followed her wherever she went.

Now, as she prepared to leave Erebor behind, Anaynah followed Bilbo and Balin, her resolve firm despite the ache in her heart. She knew her path lay beyond these stone walls, where the world beckoned with its challenges and uncertainties. With each step away from the mountain, she carried with her the memories of Thorin's Company, their courage, and the enduring spirit that had bound them together through triumph and tragedy,

Anaynah stood nearby, her presence a testament to the bond she had forged with the Company during their trials. Bilbo, clad in his travelling gear with his pack slung over his shoulder, seemed ready to depart, but Balin, ever the elder statesman among them, attempted to persuade him otherwise.

"There is to be a great feast tonight," Balin remarked, his voice carrying a mix of reverence and sorrow. "Songs will be sung, tales will be told, and Thorin Oakenshield will pass into legend."

Bilbo nodded slowly, understanding the significance of the Dwarven traditions that awaited them, yet struggling to express what Thorin meant to him personally.

"I know that's how you must honour him," Bilbo began haltingly, "but to me, he was never that - he was... to me... he was..."

His words faltered, failing to capture the depth of his feelings for the fallen king. Anaynah and Balin smiled fondly at Bilbo's attempt, recognizing the unspoken bond that had grown between the Hobbit and Thorin.

Anaynah approached them quietly, her expression reflecting both grief and respect for the fallen king, who now bore witness to their farewell.

"Well, I think I'll slip quietly away," Bilbo finally said, accepting the inevitability of his departure. "Will you tell the others I said goodbye?"

"You can tell them yourself," Balin replied warmly, gesturing toward the group of Dwarves standing behind them, their expressions a mix of grief and gratitude.

Turning to face them, Bilbo addressed the company, his voice tinged with both sadness and a hint of humour.

"If any of you ever pass by Bag End," Bilbo announced, his gaze sweeping over each dwarf and  "tea is at four - there's plenty of it. You are welcome anytime."

The Dwarves, deeply moved by Bilbo's heartfelt invitation, bowed their heads in respect. Bilbo's attempt to lighten the mood with a jest brought forth chuckles and even a few tearful smiles.

"Don't bother knocking," Bilbo added playfully, his characteristic wit momentarily breaking through the sombre atmosphere.

After bidding his farewell with a wave, Bilbo turned to Gandalf, who stood nearby with their mounts ready. Gandalf's horse and Bilbo's pony awaited them.

Anaynah stepped forward to the gathered Dwarves as Bilbo bid his farewell, feeling the weight of the moment as she took in each familiar face one last time.
Her eyes moved from Balin, whose wise and weathered features held a mixture of sadness and pride, to Dwalin, whose stoic demeanour masked the grief he bore for his fallen kin. Bofur's warm smile, tinged with melancholy, met hers briefly before he looked away, his eyes betraying the sorrow he felt.

Ori, ever the gentle soul, glanced at her with gratitude and sorrow, his quiet nod conveying more than words could express. Nearby, Dori and Nori stood together, their usually mischievous gazes softened by the solemnity of the moment. Gloin, with his gruff exterior softened by grief, nodded solemnly in acknowledgment, his hand resting on the hilt of his axe, a constant reminder of the battles they had fought together, and Oin's gentle nurturing smile.

Fili and Kili's absence was a palpable ache in the air, their youthful bravery and infectious spirits forever etched in her memory. And at the front should have been their king, but instead, it was his spirit that surrounded them, holding them all together.
Anaynah's gaze lingered on their empty places among their kin, her heart heavy with the loss of their bright futures.
These Dwarves, once strangers to her, had become her comrades, her family in the darkest hours of their journey.

With a deep breath, Anaynah took in the scene one last time, committing it to memory—their strength, their resilience, and the bond that had united them against all odds. Though they stood together now to honour Thorin's legacy, she knew their paths would diverge, each carrying their burden of grief and memories.

"My dear friends, brothers of the Company, our paths may diverge for now, but know this: Erebor will always hold a place in my heart. I promise you, wherever fate may lead me, I will return. Until then, may our paths cross again under kinder skies."

Turning to face Gandalf, who waited patiently with their mounts, Anaynah nodded in silent acknowledgment of their shared journey. The weight of their losses hung heavy in the air, yet she knew that they carried with them the courage and spirit of those they had lost.

With a final, lingering look at the Dwarves, Anaynah turned away, her steps echoing softly as she followed Gandalf out through the gates of Erebor, leaving behind the solemn echoes of their farewell.

Anaynah rode alongside Bilbo and Gandalf, the vast expanse of the road stretching out before them. The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm golden hue over the land. She glanced back once more at the distant silhouette of Erebor, where the Dwarves she had fought alongside now stood, watching her departure.

As they rode onward, Anaynah felt a mixture of sadness for the loss she had endured and hope for the future that awaited her. She knew the road ahead would be challenging, but she carried with her the memories of friendship, courage, and love that had defined her time with the Company.

The journey to take Bilbo back to the Shire was to be long, but first, they had to make a stop for the ranger. Days passed, and soon Rivendell greeted them with its serene beauty, the haven nestled amidst lush forests and cascading waterfalls.

The familiar sights and sounds—the whispering river, the ancient trees bending in the breeze—carried a bittersweet symphony of memories and hopes.

Approaching the graceful arches of Rivendell, Anaynah felt a pang of both relief and melancholy. She dismounted with a grace honed by years of wandering and battle, her eyes scanning the familiar garden. Her breath hitched in her throat when her eyes fell on a dark-haired Ellon.

There, Elladan stood. It had been nearly eight decades since she had last seen her brother, their parting marked by pain and the weight of unspoken words.

Elladan lost in contemplation, turned at the soft sound of approaching footsteps. His gaze, once distant and lost in thought, widened in astonishment as he beheld his sister's return. For a moment, time seemed to suspend between them, bridging the long years of absence with a silent acknowledgment of shared history and enduring familial love.

Anaynah met his gaze with a tender smile, a mixture of relief and apology shimmering in her eyes. Before she knew what she was doing, her legs broke into a run, and she threw herself in the embrace of her brother.
Though they had parted on tumultuous terms, the bond of kinship remained steadfast, weathered by time and tested by distance.

Together, they walked through the tranquil haven of Rivendell, where healing awaited amidst the echoes of ancient tales and the whispers of new beginnings. For Anaynah, it was a return to the sanctuary she had sorely missed, a refuge where the scars of battle could heal alongside the promise of tomorrow's adventures.

In Rivendell, amid the timeless beauty of the elven sanctuary, Anaynah found solace in the embrace of family and the hope that amidst loss, new chapters awaited, yet unwritten.

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