Take My Pain Away

Chapter 9

The dwarves and Bilbo searched near and far, their gazes turned upward from the base of the Lonely Mountain, to find the hidden entrance. Abrâ was searching with Bofur when they heard Bilbo calling that he had found it.

With Thorin in the lead they climbed up the steep staircase hidden within the gigantic dwarves carved deep in the rock. Abrâ decided to wait until the others had gotten to the top; the steps were so steep she feared someone might stumble and fall on her.

When she reached the top Dwalin, Bifur and Gloin, axes in hand, were hammering away at the rock face. Tears came to her eyes as the light faded; so much hope lost.

Thorin could not believe that they had travelled so far, only to miss their opportunity. "No!" he exclaimed. "The last light of Durin's day," his voice broke, "will shine upon the keyhole." He held out the map in supplication, "That's what it says." He looked around in desperation, "What did we miss?" He stepped toward Balin, "What did we miss? Balin..."

The white haired dwarf shook his head, "We've lost the light. There's no more to be done. We had but one chance." The dwarves, some in tears, turned away from the invisible door. "Come away lads," Balin muttered, "it's over."

As the dwarves trudged toward the staircase, Bilbo tried to halt their descent. He looked at Thorin and asked, "Where are they going? You can't give up now," he shouted.

Dejected, Thorin dropped the key on the ground. As he turned and started walking away Abrâ called to him, "Thorin! You can't give up." She retrieved the key, thinking even if they didn't make it in, they could try again next Durin's Day.

Thorin continued to the staircase and, as Bilbo continued to appeal to him to not give up, he planted the map squarely in Bilbo's chest. He had given up all hope.

Abrâ and Bilbo remained  behind, unwilling to give up. They had come a long way and were not going to give up so easily. They both stood in front of the imposing rock-face and repeated the instructions.

"When the thrush knocks...Bilbo, there has been no thrush, has there?"

He shook his head no and  continued, "and the last light of Durin's Day will shine..."

They continued to ponder the instructions as the clouds cleared in the sky. Abrâ watched as the moon started to shine down on them. Something about that made her think hard.

They turned to each other and said, "The moonlight!"

"The moonlight is the last light of Durin's Day!" Bilbo exclaimed.

From behind them they heard the sound of a thrush trying to break open a nut by knocking it against the rock.

"The thrush!" Abrâ laughed as she watched the bird in action.

"The keyhole!" Bilbo shouted. "The last light of Durin's Day is the moonlight!" He ran to the top of the staircase and shouted down, "Come back! Come Back! It's the light of the moon! The last moon of autumn!"

Bilbo started to look for the key, "It was right here. Where is the key?"

He was not paying attention and was stumbling around erratically when he tripped over a rock and smashed, headlong, into Abrâ. Almost instantly, she dropped to the ground, her whole body aching. But it was her mind! The thoughts and feelings whirring around in her head were confusing and painful!

She felt confusion and indecision. She felt guilt and an overwhelming sense of fear.

Bilbo got to his feet. He was horrified at what he had done but, at the same time, felt more peace in his soul than he had for months. "Abrâ! Oh, Abrâ, I am so sorry!" He hovered over the dam and would not stop talking, "Are you hurting? Should I call for Oin?"