Nathaniela's Destiny

Chapter 17: Making Peace

Thorin quickly left the Mountain, as he entered the encampment of the Elves and Men.  It took the men and elves by surprise, as they saw the Dwarf King entering their camp, carrying a box, and Dwalin and Gloin, whom came with him, are now carrying two large chests filled with Gold.  "We wish to see you leaders! We bring gifts for them!" Thorin announced loudly to the guards.  Flabbergasted, the guards allowed the dwarves to enter, as the Dwarves headed towards the tent and entered.  "Thorin!" exclaimed Gandalf in surprise.  "I've come to make my piece, and call of the senseless war I've declared." announced Thorin.  Thranduil's eyes widened in surprise, as well as Bard's, as they didn't expect to see this.  "First, I must speak to Thranduil.  I bring forth the White Gems, that belong to you!" said Thorin, handing the box to Thranduil.    "Thank you, Lord Thorin---this means a whole lot to me! What is the change of heart?" asked the Elf King.   "I'm losing her, Thranduil---the woman whom I'm hoping to become my wife--she is dying, and she miscarried--because of me, I am losing her!" began Thorin, as he tried to hold back his tears.  Gandalf's eyes widened.  

  "She miscarried? I didn't know she is pregnant!" exclaimed Gandalf.  "I just found out when Fili told me.  He told me she's on the brink of death, which I came to you Thranduil, to ask to see if your healers can help her--in exchange of the Gems I given to you!" said Thorin.  "Of course Thorin.  I will send Tauriel and two others to help her." said Thranduil.  "If I lost her--I wouldn't know what to do, and I am to blame for her death and the miscarriage--I curse the day the Arkenstone, and I curse my Grandfather for the whole thing!" fumed Thorin.  "Thorin, you cannot blame your Grandfather for what happened to him---nothing you can say or do would change what you and your Grandfather had went through." said Gandalf.  "Thank you, Thorin for the gold and the promise you have kept! And as of now, I'm officially announce our alliance!" said Bard, as he held out his hand to shake Thorin's.  Thorin smiled. "Allies." said Thorin, as Thorin shook Bard's hand in return.  Then, Thorin turned to Thranduil.  "For many years, we've hated each other, its time that we should be at peace once again!" said Thorin.  Thranduil smiled, and shook Thranduil's hand.  "And that shall be!" said Thranduil. 

 Just as Thorin was about to walk away, Thranduil stopped him.  "How is your nephew?" asked The Elf King.  Thorin turned to  Thranduil.  "He's doing fine, why?" asked Thorin.  "Tauriel has been asking a lot about him--it seems that my Elf Captain and Your nephew have some strong feelings for each other."  said the Elf King with a smirk.  Thorin grinned.  "I'll make sure I'll inform Kili about it!" said Thorin, and he walked away, followed by Dwalin, Gloin, Tauriel and another Elf healer.    Once they arrived at the Mountain, Oin ran to them. "I'm glad you here, Thorin! I want to inform you I have performed surgery on Nattie, removing the deceased child, I also stopped her bleeding." said Oin.  "Is she awake?" asked Thorin.  "She's sleeping at the moment, since I given her a sedative.  Good the elves are here! I would need you two for later!" said Oin.  Tauriel and the Healer nodded.  "What shall we do now then?" asked Tauriel.  "Sit and wait!" said Thorin. 

  "But there isn't much time! An army of orcs are approaching, and we're about to go to war, Thorin!" said Tauriel.  "How long would it when the orcs get here?" asked Thorin.  "They'll be here in two days!" said Tauriel.  "We'll still be able to wait! As long as we get Nattie well before the enemy arrives!" said Thorin.

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  Thorin had been feeling restless for two hours, as he instantly thought of Nattie.  While the dwarves had been busy celebrating of getting their home back, and making peace with the elves and men,   Thorin didn't feel much like celebrating, as he sat and watched the others laugh and made merry.  "Laddie, are you alright?" asked Balin.  "I'm fine, Balin.  I just can't stop thinking of Nattie." said Thorin, quietly.  "I know, lad! I know!" said Balin.   "Where are you going, Thorin?" called out Dwalin.  "For a walk!" Thorin replied, as he left the Great Hall, and he walked down the long corridors.  Soon, Thorin entered his old room, and he looked around the room.  Soon, Thorin found something wrapped in an old green cloth.  Thorin removed the cloth, revealing a large golden harp before him. "My mother's harp she had given me." said Thorin aloud, quietly.  Thorin began to dust off the harp and polish it.  Afterwards, Thorin found a stool nearby and sat down, pulling the harp to him as he began tuning the instrument first.

  After tuning the harp, Thorin started to play, gently plucking and strumming the silver strings, and soon he started to sing in his native language, singing a song of grief, a song of his love.   But after playing for a little while, Thorin stopped,as he leaned his head on top of the base of the harp and wept.   Suddenly, after a while, Thorin could hear a knock on the door.  "Come in!" said Thorin hoarsely, as his voice raspy from sobbing.  The door opened, and Balin entered the room.  "I figure I would find you in here!" began Balin, as he approaches Thorin.   "What do you want, Balin?" asked Thorin, in exhaustion.  "I came in here to tell you that the elves had finished healing Nattie, and she's awake.  Unfortunately she has refused to talk to anyone, not even myself." said Balin.  "Would she talk to me?" asked Thorin.  "I don't know, laddie." said Balin. "I want to go see her." said Thorin firmly as he stood up.  

 "Laddie!" Balin began to protest.   But Thorin ignored Balin and he left the room.  Thorin marched down the long corridors to the Healing chambers, and soon arrived as he knocked on the door.  The door opened, revealing Tauriel.  "Thorin!" exclaimed Tauriel softly. "Is she awake? May I see her, Tauriel?" asked Thorin quietly.  "Of course, but Thorin, she refuses to talk, as much as tried to get her to talk." said Tauriel, as she allowed Thorin to enter.  "Maybe I can get her to talk!" said Thorin softly.  As Thorin entered the room, he saw Nattie sitting up in bed, her eyes red from crying, and when she saw Thorin, she began to scream. "MURDERER! MURDERER! GET HIM OUT OF HERE!!" Nattie screamed frantically.    Thorin's heart sank hearing those words coming from Nattie.  "Nattie--please, listen to me, calm down! I won't hurt you, Nattie--just calm down!" said Thorin gently, as he pulled Nattie into his arms, and he wept openly as he held her.  "Nattie, I'm sorry---oh Mahal, I'm so sorry!" choked Thorin. Nattie could feel his tears falling on her shoulders.  Nattie looked up at Thorin.

 "Is my Thorin back?" gasped Nattie softly.  Thorin looked at Nattie and smiled.  "Your Thorin is back!" Thorin whispered. And the two sat there like that, as Nattie lay her head upon Thorin's chest. "We shall leave you two be! Come!" said Tauriel.  "Tauriel, wait!" spoke up Nattie, as she and Thorin broke their embrace. Tauriel turned and looked at them. "Thank you! Thank you for everything!" said Nattie.  "Yes, Tauriel! Thank you for everything you have done, including saving my nephew's life!" said Thorin.  Tauriel smiled, wiping a tear from her eyes.  "Your welcome!" said Tauriel, as she and the Healer left the room.