Thorin's Heart ~ Chapter 20

Chapter 20 ~ Queen

Kale could see the Lonely Mountain far in the distance, and she longed for Thorin with all her heart and soul.  Happier tears started slipping from her eyes as she remembered the little thrush, the white hawk, and the many ravens that had brought her sweet loving messages all morning from her love.  Had he changed? Had she healed him? Could she have her Thorin back?  She tried to push the thought from her mind, knowing it was too soon to try.  She had to protect their baby at all costs.  Gwaihir was quiet as he lay beside her, eyes closed.  She laid her head on his side, desperate for affection, and then her eyes began to adjust to more birds coming their way.

Gwaihir sighed knowing there were more messages from Thorin.  Kale smiled hoping they would never stop coming.   She stood to greet them and was taken aback by the panic in their call.

“War is upon the land, the dwarves are outnumbered.” They squawked one by one.

“Need aid, come quick, come quick.”

“Who has sent you?” Gwaihir demanded.

“Gandalf the Grey has sent us. Send help quickly!  The orcs are upon them all, come for the gold.  Coming for the gold! No dragon to get in their way!”

Kale stood quickly as cold chills ran through her body.

“Gwaihir!  Thorin, we have to help him!”

“You cannot ask me to go to war when our numbers are few and our very race is dying.”

“Please,” she begged. “I know Thorin’s heart and I know he would do the same for you if ever a time came you needed him.”

Gwaihir did not answer and she was running out of time.  She desperately tried to find encouraging words to lift him up off the cliff and his silence was deafening.  

“Do it for your queen,” she demanded.  “I’m not asking you I’m telling you.  Get off this cliff and fly to help aid them in this war.”

Gwaihir hissed, “You are queen of Thorin, of Erebor.  I know you are mad with him now but I also know that love forgives and you will be with him again.”

“Erebor is large enough for us all Gwaihir, I can have you both, and I need you both.  The perches of The Lonely Mountain are calling for new company to occupy their shelves and I can think of no mightier eagles to adorn its side.”

He sighed for a second more and then unwillingly stood and bowed before his queen.
“Yes, my queen.  Get your brother and father, Erebor awaits.”

The war raged on and when their flanks began to break and they were crumbling under the feet of their foe they heard a loud horn, the horn of Erebor.  Coming out of the side of the mountain and in the most magnificent armor made of the strongest of metals and overlaid with gold, adorned with diamonds, rubies, and gold, Thorin had come.  He led them into the cries of battle adoring a crown upon his helmet.  The King’s armor had been found and he wore it well. They slashed through them in a fiery rage of hatred fighting another foe that had come to steal their beloved kingdom.  The halls would never be rid of such foul creatures once they entered and they fought to destroy them all.  Beorn had made his way from Mirkwood, devouring all who lie in his path.  He was in his bear form and he madly barreled forward to get to their leader. They were now completely surrounded but fought on lashing out their anger and strength against their enemies of darkness.

As hope seemed to fall and they could barely lift their arms to another swing of sword, someone cried out, “The eagles, the eagles, are coming!”  All eyes were on the sky as the eagles came into view.  Large dark eagles filled the sky and they were being led by their queen.  Thorin felt power at the sight of her and fought harder knowing she had come back to him.  They felt a sigh of relief and answered prayers seemed to uplift them and they fought harder pushing on.  The eagles swooped in massively, attacking everything in their grasp.  They blew through the enemy lines and crashed them on rocks down on the mountain below. Gwaihir dropped Kale off on the highest peak away from danger and would not leave her side.  Rafe and Brakin joined in on the fight cutting through the lines assisting Thorin.

She searched the battle grounds for what seemed like forever until she finally spotted Thorin adorned with his oaken shield.  He was there with Kili and Fili and fought long and hard.  She kept her eyes on him willing him to stay strong and true.  It was crippling to see him in such danger and she felt as if her heart was being ripped from her with each blow.  Kale used all her strength and power to help turn the goblins own wolves against them and Gwaihir could see that Beorn had taken out their leader and his body guard ripping them limb from limb. His sharp eyes missed nothing.  

Kale had never seen so much blood and death, the tears made it hard to see as she kept losing sight of Thorin on the battlefield.  She caught sight of her brother and father and wished they would’ve stayed at the Carrock not joining her in such madness.  Death was upon them and everyone she loved was on that field.  Gwaihir called her attention back to Thorin reassuring her of his strength and fight to help her hold on. Fear flooded her mind and she became confused.  Gwaihir pointed out someone different than who she had been watching and praying over.  He was elaborately decorated with the King’s helmet that was adorned with the crown of Erebor and golden armor, something only Thorin, their king would wear.   He shredded through the enemy with every swing of his sword.   He fought strong and hard with only the movements and courage Thorin could possess. Then suddenly, her heart stopped as a deadly blow crashed to the side of his head from a huge orc.  The blow left him face down with Fili and Kili coming to his aid and standing guard over him.  

Everything seemed in slow motion as she screamed his name.  Gwaihir took off in flight leaving her there on the rock.  She thought her heart would stop and she fell to her knees holding her belly. Gwaihir swooped down but Beorn was already there.  He lifted his broken body up to Gwaihir as he flew by to retrieve him.

More eagles came crashing through retrieving Fili and Kili as well and anyone else of Kale’s kingdom who adorned Erebor armor.  Others eagles flew through finishing the job of killing off brave orcs that had not yet retreated.  The war was nearing its nasty end at a heavy cost.  Black blood painted the meadow and Kale’s screams could still be heard.

She ran to his lifeless body as Gwaihir landed him gently on the cliff.

“Thorin,” she cried, running to him slipping his helmet from his head and she stopped breathing.

He had Thorin’s eyes, nose, and build, but it was not her Thorin.  It was as if he had aged overnight, it scared her and she began to shake.

“It’s my father, Kale.”  She rose suddenly frozen unable to turn to see him, confused after just seeing him die, and the faintness that threatened to make everything turn black.  Shaking terribly, she dropped the helmet and closed her eyes until she felt his arms around her, his warmth healing her trembling body.  

“I’m here, my love, I’m ok, I’m never going to leave you,” he whispered in her ear.

She wept looking down at the body that lay before her and thanked God that it wasn’t Thorin’s lifeless body that lie before them. Thorin slid his hands to her small round belly and felt so much life regained in his own body.

“I am so sorry!”

She turned into Thorin inconsolable, thanking God he was in her arms, and begged him to hold her tighter. He held her there for some time whispering reassurances in her ear and telling her how much he loved her and then begged for her forgiveness as he kissed every part of her face.    
 
Thorin’s heart broke as he was brought back to the sight of his father and when she was finally able to breathe again, he dried her tears and held her hand as he kneeled beside his father.  He was proud that they were given one last day as father and son and blessed Kale was in his arms again.

When they had made their way into the armory to assist in the war, that had begun at their very door, he had insisted his father wear the king’s armor and chose another glorious set for himself.  He did not want to be king of Erebor without his queen.  He was honored to see his father back in his place, a place that was now given back to Thorin. He had finally come home and was at rest and Thorin was proud that he got the chance to stand next to him in the heart of battle fighting for what they both loved.
 
Rafe, Brakin, and Thorin’s dwarves stood by the eagles that had dropped them off.  Heads bowed at the sight of the fallen king.  Thorin helped Kale stand wrapping his arms around her.  He saw Kili and Fili and held out his hand and they joined him in his arms as well, as the tears fell endlessly down their faces.  He held the most important thing left in the world to him and then he saw Rafe.  

“Thank you,” he whispered letting them go, except Kale’s hand.  

Kale was shocked as Thorin was speaking to Rafe.  All eyes were on him as Thorin looked to Kale to explain. “I was being overtaken, barely hanging on, until Rafe came to my aid. Kili and Fili were assisting my father and everyone else was trying to hang on to their own lives.”

Everyone looked over to Rafe who had hung his head.

Kale ran to him then, holding him in her arms, “Thank you, Rafe.”  He looked into her eyes and a sad smile stretched across his face.  

“He was almost taken from you once, because of me, and I was not going to let that happen again.  I saw the hurt it caused you and I vowed I would set things right.”  She kissed his cheek and hugged him once more before she returned to Thorin.  

Thorin’s gaze spoke of forgiveness and he nodded to Rafe and then left the cliff to help with the dead.

After such a horrible day, the dead were accounted for and the tears shed.  There was no song or celebration, no feast, for the dead was beyond the count of grief.  Thorin sent out a search for Bilbo and when found, begged for his forgiveness, as well, offering him and the others whatever they needed of the treasure.  They had brought aid and stood together now, as one, protecting Thorin’s Erebor.  In return, Thranduil returned the Arkenstone and Thorin’s Orcrist and offered aid if ever they called upon them.  Thorin promised Dain half his share for being such loyal family and to help make the Iron Mountains as strong as Erebor.  

As evening fell and Kale never letting go of Thorin’s hand, they buried Thorin’s father deep within the mountain with the Arkenstone.  Thorin knew he had his Arkenstone beside him now, as Elrond had once said, the only power he needed to make him whole.  She looked up at him and he kissed her forehead whispering he loved her.
       
Everyone slowly made their way to find food and relieve themselves of the heavy armor that weighed them down.  Their bodies felt as heavy as their hearts.  Kili and Fili had not left Thorin’s side since the start of battle, except to aid his father. The losses were great and terrible and the sadness loomed in the air, but they gave silent thanks.

The sun began to set and Thorin made his way with Kale and his nephews to the small river that flowed out of the mountain’s gate to clean up.  Kale helped Thorin out of his armor and washed his cuts and bruises but he refused to let her try to heal them since he knew she needed her strength for the baby.  She washed him in silence with tears falling down her face and then would fall into his arms and weep.  Kili and Fili wrapped their arms around them as well. Thorin would just hold them in silence trying to be strong but breaking into pieces with sorrow and happiness at the same time. Thorin had seen his share of war and heartache and he had always prayed they wouldn’t.  His family was in his arms, and they now had a home, he had so much to be thankful for, but such a terrible road that had led them there.

In spite of his aching body he picked her up and carried her to their room.  He sat her on the bed kissing her softly and then decided to start a fire since she was still trembling.  Kili and Fili dropped off his armor and he hugged them both and told them he loved them. They quietly left and he shut the door behind them and then returned to her quickly. He helped her slowly get undressed, by the fire, and then fell to his knees wrapping his arms around her body. He lay his head on her belly listening and praising God for such a miracle.  

She finally started smiling as he kissed her there and she whispered, “They love you!”

“They?”  Thorin looked up with astonished tear stained eyes. “Kale, what did you say?”

“Twins,” She laughed and fell to her knees beside him kissing him.  

He could not believe it and happiness engulfed his heart.  He held her there looking into her eyes, his wife, his queen, the mother of his children.  He almost lost it all. She had saved him in so many ways and their very kingdom.

“Please forgive me, my love, I will never fail you again.”  Tears fell from Thorin’s eyes and he brushed hers away from her cheeks.  “I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you, I promise.  You and our babies, Oh God Kale, babies?” She laughed shaking her head. “You are more important to me than this kingdom, the gold in it, and my very own life.  I want to spend the rest of my days with you and our children by my side. I refuse to live another day without you and them.”

Kale smiled closing her eyes knowing he had returned completely to her and then kissed him deeply pulling him to her.  He picked her up and lay her on the bed consuming himself in her love.  The absence of her body for so long left him wanting to devour her but he knew he must now be careful and caress her gently.  This was all new to him and it made him crave her more.  She was more fragile than ever and he would protect her with his life. She was his true power that made him stronger as she consumed him. The most important thing he needed in this life lay in his arms and finally he felt whole.
 
He lay awake that night holding her, kissing her, and thanking God for his blessings.

His journey had taken him so far and threatened his life on more than one occasion, willing to hold him under as death took him, but he kept fighting.  She kept him fighting, fighting for his life, home, family, and her.  The thought of being parted from her now was unimaginable.   He vowed they would never be parted again and he would spend the last of his life taking care of his family.

When sleep finally found her he stood on the side of the bed watching her sleep, whispering his name.  It made his soul sing, something he missed hearing for so long. He had so much to do and attend to but nothing would separate him from her tonight.  He longed to take her again and feel the warmth of her love, but he let her rest knowing her body was not as strong as it once was.  He kneeled by the bed and laid his hand softly on her belly, trying not to disturb her, and smiled at the wonder it held.
 
“Twins,” The thought overwhelmed him with love and pride as well as becoming a father.  
After some time, he finally found her eyes as she lie there looking at him smiling and touching his face.  

“My Thorin,” she whispered.

“I have a present for you,” he smiled.  She smiled bigger and sat up anxiously to see what he had to offer. He walked to the closet, opening its huge door, and turned holding a crib and shrugged apologetically.

“I didn’t know we needed two.”  

She held her hands over her mouth in awe as tears of joy filled her eyes.  She jumped up and ran to him kissing and holding him tight and then pulled it from him adoring it.
 
“It could not be more perfect, I love it,” she whispered kissing him again.

“I will make another.”

“I think they may want to sleep together.” She looked up smiling. “Something tells me they are going to be as inseparable as Kili and Fili.

He smiled thinking of his nephews and the bond they shared and kissed her softly breathing in the sense of hope and promise their future held. They talked of baby names and what promises the future held as they crawled back in bed. They laughed of stories of their youths and how they were when they were small.  Wondering which characteristics of themselves their children would inherit.  Each wanting the other to be more dominate.

She finally told him of her parents and how she finally knew where she had come from and then she broke the news that the eagles would always be at her side.  Thorin smiled proudly that such eagles would be Erebor’s, or Kale’s, protectors.  

They talked and laughed into the long hours of the night and then silence would fall upon them as they stared into each other’s eyes and again they would surrender to the need their bodies had for so long craved from their absence until they were exhausted and fell asleep in each other’s arms.  He knew he could never sleep again without her by his side.