A Priestess For Middle Earth

Chapter 23 Preparing for the Mountain.

Kagome stood a little ways back from the toilet as she watched the Dwarves emerge one by one. When she saw Thorin soaken head, she raised an eyebrow.

"You know, when I said a bath, that was not what I had in mind."

Thorin narrowed his eyes at her and climbed out of the toilet. He suddenly got a glint in his eyes and went to hug her, but she ducked out of the way. She backed away from him, nearly bumping into Sigrid, she offered Kagome a towel for Thorin. She then proceeded to hand out the rest of the towels. Kagome had Thorin sit down, then she took the towel and began to vigorously rub Thorin's hair with it. He sat there and growled at her.

"Stop complaining, I need to dry you before you get sick."

"Dwarves do not get sick!"

"Yeah, well, let's not test that theory."

After more or less drying Thorin's hair and him changing into dry clothes, Kagome asked Sigrid for a comb and began to comb out his hair. Thorin closed his eyes and reveled in her touch as she ran her fingers through his hair. Once she was finished, Thorin got up and went to go talk with Balin and the others.

Kagome decided that she wanted to make something to eat for her Dwarves and asked Sigrid if she could use the kitchen. She had something in mind, but first she had to search to see if they had all the ingridients. Kagome did her best with the ingredients that were available to make a form of Oden for Bilbo, the Dwarves, Bard and his family and herself, she also decided to make rice that had amazingly stayed dry in her pack and she coated some fish in bread crumbs and deep fried it.

The little house smelled absolutely heavenly and made Thorin appreciate Kagome more knowing that she would take good care of him once they were married. He also knew that she would make a formidable queen, he was looking forward to that day. But first there was a dragon to slay and a kingdom to reclaim.

As Kagome cooked, Bard showed them the weapons that he had which was met by complaints from the Dwarves, he informed them that the only iron made weapons were located in the amory. So, it was decided that the Dwarves would sneak in and steal some weapons, but after they ate and rested.

Kagome set the food out on the table and called everyone to come eat. She served everyone then sat down next to Thorin to enjoy her meal. Bard and his family eyed the food suspiciously, Bilbo was the first to notice they were not eating, he gave them an encouraging smile.

"You needn't worry, Kagome may make exotic food but it is incredibly good. Give it a try and you will see, I'm almost positive you'll love it."

Bard was the first to try it and true to Bilbo's word he loved it. He encourage his children to try the food and soon enough they were also enjoying their meal. After dinner, Sigrid, Bain and Tilda cleaned up, insisting that since Kagome cooked they should clean. Sigrid asked Kagome for the recipe, which Kagome gladly gave her.

After their meal, Kagome, Bilbo and the Dwarves settled down to take a nap. Bain provided them with blankets and they found spaces on the floor to sleep, Thorin and Kagome sleeping next to each other.

When Kagome awoke, she found that Thorin and the others were getting ready to leave. She gave him a curious look.

"What's going on?"

"We are breaking into the armory, Amrâlimê, but I want you to stay here."

"No way, I am not letting you go into that armory without me. Who know what sort of trouble you guys will get into."

Thorin sighs, he should have known better, Kagome would never let him do something like this alone.

"Fine, but you stay with Kili, he is not looking well."

Kagome nodded. Thorin was right Kili wasn't looking at all well, she was going to have to take a better look at that wound.

Soon, several dwarves are in the armory, and they begin collecting the weapons stored there. Kili struggles under a load of several different weapons, and Thorin hands him another one. Kili steps forward to get more weapons.

"You alright?" Thorin asks.

"I can manage." Kili tells him.

Thorin looks at Kili, then glances at Kagome who has a concerned look on her face. He lays another sword on the pile Kili is holding. Kili begins walking down the stairs, but his wounded leg gives way and he falls with a cry. The weapons make a terrible clanging noise, and the dwarves both inside and outside look around warily. In the distance, the watchmen cry out, and running footsteps approach.

The dwarves still outside begin to run, but are stopped by two watchmen pointing pikes at them. Kagome, Bilbo and the dwarves in the armory grab weapons, but several other guards point pikes at them too. Braga, the captain of the guard, is holding Kili with a dagger to his throat. Kili looks sadly and guiltily at Thorin.

They are taken to the master of the house where he accuses Kagome and the others of being enemies of the state.

Dwalin breaks free from the guard that is holding him, "Hold your tongue, you do not know to whom you speak. This is no common criminal, this is Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror!"

Thorin squeezes Kagome's hand as he steps forward, "We are the Dwarves of Erebor. We have come to reclaim our homeland. I remember this town and the great days of old. Fleets of boats lay at harbor, filled with silks and fine gems. This was no forsaken town on a lake! This was the center of all trade in the North. I would see those days return. I would relight the great forges of the Dwarves and send wealth and riches flowing once more from the halls of Erebor!"

"Death!" Bard yells, "That is what you will bring upon us. Dragon fire and ruin. If you awaken that beast, it will destroy us all."

Thorin goes on to explain that he will share the riches with Esgaroth so that they can rebuild the city and make as it was. Kagome listens and watches, she can see that there is something off about Thorin, that he has a strange look in his eyes. But she's not sure what it is whatever it is, Thorin has changed.

Thorin continues to argue with Bard as Bard tells him he has no right to enter that mountain. Thorin declares that he has the only right. With that, Thorin turns to the Master of Laketown and asks him if he will share in the wealth of the mountain. The Master, of course welcomes them with open arms. Thorin smiles, he walks over and takes Kagome by the hand and leads her into the Master's house. Kagome glances back and gives Bard a sympathetic look, he nods to her then turns and walks into the crowd.

The next morning, while they are getting ready to leave, Kagome makes a decision. She walks up to Thorin while he was telling Bilbo that they were going to leave Bofur behind.

"Thorin, I think it would be best if I stay behind." Kagome tells him.

"Good, I was going to ask you to stay behind anyway, my sweet. I love you with all of my heart and can not bear the thought of you being in danger. I will be more at peace, knowing you are safe here instead."

That was not what Kagome was thinking, she wanted to stay behind and protect the city just in case the dragon got passed Thorin and the others. Not that she thought Thorin would die, she just wanted to be a second line of defense for the city.

Thorin had also decided that Kili should stay behind as well due to his injury, he knew that Kagome could heal Kili given the time and that was the other reason Thorin wanted Kagome to stay behind. After some discussion Oin and Fili both decided to stay. Thorin turns to Kagome, he takes her into his arms and hugs her fiercely, she clings to him for dear life. Thorin gives her a kiss then places his forehead against her's

"Come back to me, Thorin."

"I will do all that I can to come back to you, my love."

"You better, or I will find a way to bring you back and kill you."

Thorin chuckles, "I believe you Amrâlimê, when the mountain is safe you and the other join us as quickly as you can."

"We will, my love."

"I love you, Kagome."

"I love you too, Thorin."

With that, she kisses him one last time, Thorin gets in the boat and sails away. Kagome stands on the dock and waves to him until he is out of sight.