An Unexpected Romance

Chapter 13

After the company reached the other side of the lake everyone clambered out of the boat then began travelling in the direction of Erebor. By late that afternoon they are at the foot of Erebor and searching for the path up to the hidden entrance. Suddenly Primrose spots what appears to be a path winding up a huge statue of a former dwarf king which graces the side of the mountain.

"There, up there Uncle," Primrose said.

Thorin gazes up and spots what she has spotted.

"Everyone, Primrose has found it. The path to the secret entrance," Thorin said.

The company begins their trek up the mountain and it isn't until the sun is about to go down that they are standing by the hidden entrance. The dwarves immediately begin to search for the hidden door but none of them have any luck. Then suddenly the sun has gone down.

"The last light of Durin's day will shine upon the keyhole. That's what it says," Thorin said, "What have we missed," he adds looking at the others, the map in his hand, "What did we miss,"

"We've lost the light, there's no more to be done," Balin said, "We had but one chance. Come on laddie its over," he ends.

The dwarves slowly begin to leave while Primrose looks confused.

"Where are they going?" Primrose asks, "You can't give up now," she adds.

Even Thorin turns to leave, dropping the key to the secret entrance and thrusting the map at Primrose, leaving only Kili with Primrose. She looks at the map reading the runes again and again. And then the moon rises and suddenly the keyhole is illuminated.

"It's the moon," Primrose exclaims understanding dawning.

"You're right," Kili said.

"It's the moon. The last light of Durin's day is the light of the MOON," Primrose calls out.

She looks for the key but can't find it.

"Where is it? It was here a minute ago," Primrose said.

"I've got the key if that's what you're looking for," Kili says softly.

He holds it up and suddenly Thorin is there again and takes it from him.

"Thank you my clever niece in law I knew you'd work it out. I was wrong to give up," Thorin said.

"Kili was the only one who stayed with me. He was the only one to have faith in me," Primrose said.

She smiled at Kili who smiled back. Thorin inserts the key in to the hole and turns it. With a creak a door in the rock swings opening revealing blackness. Slowly the dwarves enter the passage, Primrose clutching Kili's hand. After they've gone a short way the group stop.

"We can't go any further. I can't make any promises as to what you'll find down there. Whether there is in fact a live dragon there or not.

"There is something I want you to find for me once the dragon is dead, the Arkenstone," Thorin said.

"How will I know what it looks like?" Primrose asked.

"You will know it when you see it. It's a large white jewel like nothing you've ever seen before," Balin said.

Kili shook his head. What was wrong with his uncle? The jewel wasn't important. Getting their home back was what was important. Had his uncle learnt nothing from his dealings with the elf king?

"Ok wish me luck I will head in," Primrose said.

"Be careful my love. I don't want to lose you or our child," Kili said.