Flames

2.9

After hours of searching and climbing, they finally reached the top of the mountain. The sun was beginning to set, so the search for the door was frantic. Azalea stood back and watched. The pain from exerting her shoulder nearly blinded her. 

"Azalea, are you all right?" Thorin asked. All she could manage to return was a brief nod. Thorin nodded back, understanding.

They gradually became more panicked as the sun set. Eventually, the pain subsided enough for Azalea to help. The sun dipped below the horizon, and a sheet of disappointment enveloped the dwarves. 

"No," Azalea muttered. "No. I reuse to believe we came all this way for nothing!" 

"Face it, Azalea. It's over," Kili said.

"The last light of Durin's Day...That's what it says," Thorin muttered. The disappointment and sadness in his voice broke Azalea's heart. She went to hug him, but he pushed her away. Azalea pretended like she wasn't hurt.

The dwarves began to turn and leave. Bilbo and Azalea began to protest.

"We can't give up now!" Bilbo exclaimed.

"Thorin, please," Azalea muttered, grabbing his hand. He pulled away from her, shook his head, and walked away. He dropped the key to the mountain. It landed with a soft clunk in the grass.

"No," Azalea whispered.

"Come on, Azalea, we'll find the door," Bilbo said. Azalea shook her head.

"What's the point?" she asked. "They've all given up. Why are we still fighting for them when they've stopped trying?"

She sat with her back against a rock facing the place where the door should've been.

"You've given up, too?" Bilbo asked. Azalea nodded.

"They only reason I'm not following them down that mountain is because I don't think my shoulder could take it," she explained.

"I'm gonna find that door, Azalea."

So he began to think.

"I just can't believe we came all this way for nothing," she muttered. She caught herself wishing Thorin was still there.

Clouds parted to reveal a gibbous moon. It was almost full, so a good amount of light reflected off of it. The light shone directly on a spot in the wall, revealing a keyhole. Azalea sat up straighter, a grin breaking out on her face. 

"Guys! Come back! We found it!" she called as Bilbo said almost the same thing.

"Where's the key?"

Bilbo searched for the key. Azalea's observant eyes grazed the ground, trying to find it. The dwarves returned, and the door to Erebor was opened.

"I remember these halls," Thorin said wistfully. "Balin, you remember, too."

"I do," Balin replied. The older dwarf had tears in his eyes. Azalea gave a small smile before pain flared in her shoulder again. Thorin strode over to her and helped her stand.

"I want to show you something," he said. He dragged her to the halls of Erebor. She grinned at his enthusiasm.

"This is my home," he told her. "Have you given any thought to whether or not it will be yours?"

The truth was Azalea had thought about it. A lot. On the one hand, it would be great to have a permanent home, surrounded by people she loves. On the other hand, if Thranduil had been right...

"I've thought about it," she admitted.

"I know it's a lot to ask, but we all think you should stay," Thorin said. 

She offered another small smile. She looked around at the dwarves. Each of them smiled back at her. 

"Of course, it's your choice."

She looked back at Thorin again.

"Okay," she replied. "Okay, I'll stay."

Everyone cheered. Everyone except for Balin and Bilbo. Balin was briefing Bilbo on his mission. Then, Bilbo entered the mountain, and the rest of them stood outside to wait.