It was a beautiful summer evening. We were all in the garden there was a small fire. The dwarves were their usual selves, loud and rowdy. Gandalf came and asked Thorin to follow him, Thorin nodded towards Balin to come with him, as he passed he whispered," Come with me."
"Where?"I inquired.
"To see Elrond." he didn't seem happy with the prospect.
"Take Dwalin, he has more right to be there than me."
He looked at me pointedly, "I want YOU to be with me. Now come" he whispered. I started walking with him.
We enter the library, Elrond and Bilbo are already there. It used to be my favorite place to be when I used to stay here. Gandalf asks Thorin to show Elrond the map. Thorin doesn't want Elrond to see the map. He shakes his head, " Our business is no concern of Elves."
" For goodness sake, Thorin, show him the map" Gandalf is getting frustrated."
"It is the legacy of my people. It is mine to protect, as are its secrets." Thorin growls.
" Save me from the stubbornness of Dwarves. Your pride will be your downfall. You stand in the presence of one of the few in Middle-earth who can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond."
"Thorin" is whisper standing right beside him. He turns his head slightly towards me and I nod.
Thorin takes the map out and passes him the map, Balin tries to stop him but he raises his hand.
"What exactly is your interest in this map?" Elron inquired
"It's mainly academic" Gandalf says quickly before Thorin says anything giving Thorin a pointed glare.
"These are moon runes. These runes were written on a Midsummer's Eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly 200 years ago. It would seem you were meant to come to Rivendell. Fate is with you, Thorin Oakenshield. The same moon shines upon us tonight. (reads the map) "Stand by the gray stone when the thrush knocks and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole." Elrond says.
" Durin's Day?" I say confused looking at Gandalf.
"It is the start of the Dwarves' new year, when the last moon of autumn, and the first sun of winter appear in the sky together." Gandalf replied
"This is ill news. Summer is passing. Durin's Day will soon be upon us." Thorin says frowning.
"We still have time." Balin mutters deep in thought.
"For what?" Bilbo looks at Balin.
"To find the entrance. We have to be standing in exactly the right spot at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened." says Balin still deep in thought.
"So this is your purpose? To enter the mountain?" Elrond looks disapprovingly at Thorin.
"What of it?" Thorin asks challenge in his eyes.
"There are some who would not deem it wise" Elrond says breaking his stare from Thorin.
The three of us leave the library, Balin walks to the rest of the company.
Me and Thorin stand there, my mind can't make sense of what Elrond said before we parted.
Gandalf and Elrond pass from the other side of the path a bush covering me and Thorin so they don't know we are there.
"Of course I was going to tell you. I was waiting for this very chance. and really, I think you can trust that I know what I am doing." We heard Gandalf
"Have you forgotten? A strain of madness runs deep in that family. His grandfather lost his mind. His father succumbed to the same sickness. Can you swear Thorin Oakenshield will not also fall? Gandalf, these decisions do not rest with us alone. It is not up to you or me to redraw the map of Middle-earth." Elrond says with force.
This is all we could hear as they passed, Thorin looked troubled as he looked at me," What were they talking about?" I asked.
"Dragon sickness, my grandfather's lust for gold is what attracted the dragon, there was this greed that had taken over his brain, he kept hoarding it never wanting to part with a single penny." He says looking hard at me, trying to read my expression. "They say that whoever tries to lay claim on it would fall to the same sickness, but it's my birth right and there is no one who can stop me from claiming it."
"But.... what makes you so sure that you won't be going through the same thing as your grandfather." I whisper, a weird pressure building in my chest.
For the very first time since I had known him Thorin looked unsure
"I'm not sure, I don't think I'm prone to it but I have to reclaim what's mine, I don't have a choice." he whispers walking slowly, head down deep in thought.
"Reclaim what's yours? At what cost Thorin?" I choke, He looks up at me.
"At any cost" He replies, "If I do fall I won't expect you to understand as it's something you've never experienced before But I will not back away from the dreams of my father and grandfather, they had dreamt of this day. You'll be free to make a choice too."
My feet halt, I can feel the anger rising in me, " I don't know what you think of me or my loyalty towards you and the others but don't ever doubt that my feet would falter when the road gets bumpy."
He looks at me emotions clear and raw in his eyes, he holds my face in his hands, "I don't doubt you Maur and I also know that if anyone could bring me back it would be you. Don't give up on me when you don't see me as myself if that ever happens."
"I won't" I whisper
"Remember that my love for you and your presence and faith in me is stronger than any sickness in this world."
I nodded my eyes pooling, his gaze drops to my lips and his breathing escalates. He looks up at me again and I shake my head slightly, he smiles and puts his lips softly on my forehead.