The Navigator

The Blue Mountains

Soft light penetrates Vistial's vision. She slowly opens her eyes and gazes around. She was lying in a rather small bed, a thick blanket over her body. A lantern was hanging in the corner of the room. Vistial sits up and finds bandages covering her.

"You're awake, thank Mahal." A female dwarf appears. She walks over to a table next to the bed and places a bowl on it. "How are you feeling?"

"Better, thank you." Vistial replies, remembering faintly what had happened. She had been barely conscious when the dwarrow had found her. "Where am I?"

"You're in the Blue Mountains. My name is Duvira." The dwarrow replies.

"Vistial." Vistial says. She allows Duvira to check her wounds and bandages a few of them that reopen.

"What were you doing out there in the forest?" Duvira asks, examining a rather long cut on Vistial's back.

"I'd rather not talk about it." Vistial says, thinking back to Erebor. Duvira nods in understanding.

"Gimli!" Duvira calls as she finished. Visital recognizes the little dwarfling as he scampers into the room. "Could you get Vistial some food? The stew on the fire is done. And bring a slice of bread as well."

"Yes, Momma." The dwarfling nods and runs off.

"You have a very kind son." Vistial states.

"Thank you." Duvira smiles. Gimli returns, food in hand.

"Thank you, Gimli." Vistial smiles as she gratefully takes the bowl. Gimli grins.

"You're welcome."

"Go on now. Your father's letter should be here by now." Gimli runs off once more. Vistial turns to Duvira.

"Where's his father?" Vistial asks.

"Oh, he's off on a quest right now. They're trying to reclaim our homeland." Duvira explains. She looks over at a picture, which Vistial just notices. "My Gloin."

"Gloin?!" Vistial focuses on the picture. Duvira stood behind Gimli, arm linked with the other dwarf in the picture. Vistial recognizes Gloin's wide grin.

"I worry for him. I heard that Dain from the Ironhills is leading an army to Erebor upon request of Thorin Oakenshield. There might be a battle between them and the people of Lake-town." Vistial's heart quickens. A battle? That sounds more like a war. She had to get back to Erebor and stop this.

"Thank you for your hospitality, but I must be going." Vistial says, standing.

"No, you are not healed." Duvira attempts to push Vistial back into bed, but Vistial's will to get back to Erebor was greater.

"I'm fine. I need to go. I left my friends in grave danger." Vistial pulls her gear onto herself. "Thank you, Duvira."

"May you reach your destination safely." Duvira says. Vistial looks down at the recently-returned Gimli.

"Are you leaving?" He asks, tears filling his eyes. Vistial kneels next to him.

"I am. I left my friends. I need to go back to them." Gimli reaches into his pocket and pulls out a pale white stone. It had runes on it similar to the one that Kili had.

"Take this. You need it more than me." Vistial smiles at the dwarfling, placing the stone into her satchel.

"Be strong for your mother, alright? You're the man of the house until your father gets home." Vistial says.

"Do you think he will come home?" Gimli asks.

"Yes. I believe he will." Vistial stands and walks out of the house. She shifts and jumps into the air. She looks back to see little Gimli and Duvira staring after her.

'Gloinwill come back to his family. I will make sure he does. I promise.'