Golden Thrones and Moonlight Veils (HOBBIT FANFICTION)

The Prophecy

"We are leaving at dawn. You and Eline will stay behind with Kíli," Thorin said, his voice firm but gentle as he stroked her hair. Talessa rested her head on his bare chest, her hands splayed against his warm skin, feeling the strong, steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

She struggled with what to say. Should she tell him about her visions? Should she even trust them herself? The images of fire and the echoes of terrified screams haunted her, but so did the radiant throne—a beacon of gold and jewels, shining as if it held all the light of the sun. She knew there was nothing she could say to stop him now, not when he was so close to reclaiming his home. A single tear slipped down her cheek, and Thorin wiped it away with a tender touch.

"There is no need for tears," he said softly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Soon, I will be showing you around our home. Erebor is the most magnificent underground kingdom you will ever see."

Talessa smiled, a sad, wistful curve of her lips. She thought of the vast halls and towering stone pillars, as tall as the mountain itself, that she had already glimpsed in her dreams.

✧

After the company left, the townsfolk returned to their daily routines. Talessa and Eline, along with Fíli, Oin, and the unfortunate Bofur—who had woken up too late and missed the boat—stayed behind with the injured Kíli. His condition seemed to worsen by the hour, his groans of pain filling the small room. The mayor had promptly kicked them out of his mansion as soon as Thorin's boat disappeared from sight. With nowhere else to go, they begged Bard to take them in, knowing Kíli's state wouldn't allow him to travel further.

Now, the young dwarf lay feverish on a table, his skin damp and hot to the touch. Oin had sent Bofur to search for kingsfoil, a herb that might help, while Eline and Bard's two daughters tried to ease Kíli's fever with cold compresses and what few herbs they had. Still, nothing seemed to work.

Talessa stood by the window, staring out at the setting sun. Her thoughts drifted to the fleeting vision she'd had of Tauriel. That elf was supposed to save Kíli—but where was she now? She turned back to glance at the suffering dwarf, then gazed sorrowfully out at the bustling townsfolk below, all of them going about their lives with renewed hope for riches. Thorin and his company had likely already reached the mountain. She wondered how much time this town had left, and how great the cost would be when the dragon awoke.

Bard suddenly burst into the room, his expression stormy as he looked over the gathering. His sharp eyes fixed on Talessa.

"You knew!" he accused, his voice tight with anger. Though her veil concealed her face, Talessa felt as if he could see the guilt written across it. She straightened her posture, meeting his glare. She knew what he meant—Bard of Esgaroth was a perceptive man, and he must have pieced together the truth of the dreaded prophecy.

"It has been foretold for ages," Talessa said defensively, though her voice wavered with guilt. "It is meant to happen this way."

Bard scoffed, his expression incredulous. "Yet they left you behind. What kind of leader is Thorin, to abandon his people to burn and die?"

"Tessie, what is he talking about?" Eline interjected, but Talessa didn't answer. Instead, she stepped closer to Bard.

"Thorin didn't know," she admitted quietly. "But even if he did, it wouldn't have changed much. This is his destiny."

"And what of us?" Bard demanded. "What of the people here?"

Talessa hesitated, guilt clawing at her. "We can still help. We must warn the townsfolk—"

"No," Bard cut her off, his anger fading into resignation. "They won't listen. Not now, with their eyes blinded by Thorin's promises of gold. And even if they did, the mayor would never let them leave."