Return to the Blue Mountains

Chapter One

SPOILERS for The Hobbit, from this point on. If you haven't already read that book and don't want to know the plot, please STOP READING NOW.

I have not set out to write high fiction here, this story is wish fulfilment and my desire to correct what happened to Thorin. I feel that he was under used until the final chapters and just as he is redeemed, he dies.

Tolkien fans will probably not like this but hopefully Thorin and Richard Armitage fangirls will!

Synopsis: After waking up under the Lonely Mountain (AKA Erebor) Thorin is confused as to why he is still alive. He seeks out a bookish dwarf to help him find answers and she tells him of an ancient prophecy that may hold the answers he seeks. Their journey to find the prophecy will be fraught with dangers but just maybe they will manage to find love amid the chaos too.

Chapter One

When Rori was summoned to the kings chamber, it is safe to say that she was more than a little apprehensive, fearing that her father had told on her and that she was about to be punished a second time for her supposed transgressions.

Still, she was a dwarf and most certainly not a coward so she drew herself up to her full height, such as it was, and marched into the kings chamber, stopping before Thorin and bowing low in deference, for Thorin was no ordinary king.

“Ai-menu duzhuk, Uzbad,” she said, which roughly translated from Khuzdul, the dwarf language, means, “I am at your service, my lord.”

Thorin was taken aback at the sight of the small dwarf for she had no beard, which was indeed unusual among dwarves.

“Rise,” he told her and as she stood up he saw that she was indeed bearded but it was exceptionally short, hardly more than stubble really, and blonde like her hair so that she seemed at first glance not to have a beard.

Rori stood under his watchful gaze, doing her best not to cower or look weak but she was terrified of what might be about to happen.

Thorin wanted to know what had happened for her to lose her beard but he had more pressing matters at hand, he could ask later. Besides, he did not want to remind her of the shame that had brought about her shave, it would not help them in this discussion.

“I have been told that you are bookish,” Thorin said.

The last of Rori's courage failed her and she bowed her head.

“Yes, my Lord.”

“Look at me,” Thorin commanded and though she really would rather ride an Orc, she did as he said and met his gaze.

“What do you know of the Orcrist?” he demanded.

Rori was rather taken aback at the change in topic and frowned as she thought back to the many mentions that she had read in her books.

“It was made by elves many years ago and was lost following the fall of Gondolin, until you recovered it, of course.” She was gaining confidence as she spoke since history was something she enjoyed.

“That is all you know about it?”

“I know a little of the runes carved into the hilt, such as those which name it, but many books disagree on what exactly is carved there so without examining it for myself, I cannot tell you any more.”

“But if you had the sword you could translate them?”

Rori's new found courage deserted her again and she hung her head.

“I might be able to translate some from memory, my lord, but unfortunately the tomes I might have used to aid my translation have been lost to me.”