Take My Pain Away

Chapter 6

Abrâ needed to clear herhead. She felt bereft. The loss of pony was settling into the core ofher being. With all of the goings-on getting to Rivendell, she hadnot had time to think about him. Now, he and her discussion wereforemost in her mind.

She traversed the pathsthrough the gardens, seeking a place of solace. The gardens of theelves were a wonder, with great blooms hanging off vines and secludedponds with spectacular views. The waterfalls fell, the water likemusic as it crashed into the rocks below. And yet, she felt no peace.

Finally she came to reston a lawn facing west. The setting sun was casting its red glowacross the gardens; she could imagine lovers cuddled up in thebushes, enjoying the warmth on their skin.

Her mind turned to thecompany. She had become quite fond of the rascals. Kili and Fili wereannoying, but also caring and funny and they reminded her of herbrothers. Since the incident with Kili's tooth many of the dwarveshad a lot more respect for her; Dwalin still kept an eye on her butthe way she had ordered the action taken had impressed him.

And Thorin...irascible,grim, determined; him with what appears to be the weight of the worldon his shoulders. She didn't want to leave. She did not want to gohome. In her heart of hearts she wanted to stay with him - with thecompany, to aid him - them in their quest.

Abrâ sat thus until thesun was gone. The chill of the evening was starting to seep into herbones and yet, she had come to no conclusions, no solutions. Shehauled herself to her feet and ambled back to their temporary home.

She was nearby, crossingthe terrace when she heard a sound. 'That cannot be...' shethought. She turned left and raced to the stable yard. She came to ahalt and could do nothing but smile. Pony neighed and tossed his headwhen he saw his mistress. Abrâ crossed to pony and wrapped her armsaround his neck.

"Oh pony. You sweetboy!" She looked him in the eye and put her forehead to his. "Iwas afraid you were lost forever!" Pony shook his mane and pawedthe ground. "Of course not! I should know better. You will alwaysfind me." She flung her arms around his neck once again and startedto sob. "Oh pony! What will I do?"

At that moment someonenearby cleared their throat. Abrâ raised her head to find Thorinholding pony's bridle. "He led them all here."

Indeed, she looked aroundto see all 14 ponies and Incànus' horse in the stable yard. Yet,her eyes swung around, almost immediately, to Thorin's. Hishypnotic blue eyes were locked on her face.

She felt her cheeks flushas he took a step toward her, his hand outstretched. "Abrâ," herumbled.

The dam leaned in towardthe king, wanting to succumb to the warm feelings flooding throughher. Thorin's fingers were millimetres from her face when sheabruptly rushed backward.

Thorin gasped, his handhovering in the air, before the haughty mask slipped back over hisface. He dropped the reins and turned away to join the other dwarvestending to the ponies.

Abrâ called after him,"Thorin! Wait!" He did not hesitate in his steps away from her asshe whispered, "It's not what you think..."

***

The next evening Thorin,Gandalf and Bilbo met with Elrond to discover the secrets of the mapof Erebor.

Standby the grey stone when the thrush knocks and the setting sun with thelast light of Durin's day will shine upon the keyhole

Elrond was taken by theimage of Smaug which graced the map. There was something about hisform that triggered a distant memory. He rushed to the library andhunted out a very old tome. He read through it frantically, flippingpages quickly until finally he came to the reference he sought.

Thror's map depicted thebeast as having a very long torso and tail. Morgoth had created thefire-drakes in the first age, and it was said that Smaug had survivedthe eradication of the species in the second age.

However, no-one had heardor seen of any drake until he laid waste to the Lonely Mountain.

Elrond read the passage:

Sauron,having lost the Uruloki, sought creatures far and wide. In the NorthMountains dwelled a lizard, as fearsome looking as the spawn ofMelkor. These lizards, Sauron cursed to ever seek out heat, drawn tothe one-ring, they crave gold above all. In his vanity, his lust tobe as great as Melkor, Sauron attempted to recreate his monster. Thelizards became colossus, however they did not heed their master. Theyflew to the four-corners of Middle Earth in search of the ring, andpower of their own.

The high elf stood staringat the book for a long time, working through the information. He didnot know where the one ring was, nobody did. However, he thought thatAbrâ, being cursed by Morgoth might have an advantage when thedwarves confronted Smaug. He immediately sought out Gandalf.

"Mithrandir, you mustconvince Thorin to take Abrâ with him to Erebor."

"My Lord Elrond, I donot think that will be possible. Thorin told me as much."

Elrond hardened his faceand stiffened his body, he spoke with authority, "Thorin must takeAbrâ!" He then explained what he had found in the library.

Gandalf considered theinformation and assured Elrond that he would find a way to send Abrâwith them.