Chapter Text
The volcano was erupting. Rocks, small and large, started to fall and the ground shook with ferocity signaling Sauron and his ring’s destruction.
They needed to escape, and fast.
Shouldering Kili and Dwalin, Anna and Fili hobbled outside as fast as they could before the ground beneath them got swallowed up by the roaring lava.
Intense heat licked Anna’s back, making her shiver and sweat bullets at the same time. Thankfully, they all managed to get out before the fire touched them.
But now they’re stuck.
Standing on the rock cliff while a landslide of lava flowed down from the volcano’s mouth—they’re too late. The lava had gone down too far, making the path down inaccessible.
“Are they awake yet?” she asked while she helped Fili drag them both to the safety of the edge. But one look at them told her they’re far from awake.
Fili shook Kili’s shoulders and started tapping him on his cheek. There was no response. Anna did the same to Dwalin, and she got the same result.
Her heart raced thinking they might be dead, but when she checked their pulses, it told her the opposite. They’re alive. Releasing a relieved sigh, she squeezed Fili’s hand. “They’re going to be fine,” she said even as her own hand shook. Kili and Dwalin were going to be fine, but they all won’t be if they stayed in this cliff.
Fili looked to her hand. Suddenly, with a frown he laid his free hand on top of hers then on her forehead. She caught the worried flash in his eyes as he did this.
“Anna, you’re burning up.”
She waved his hand away. “I’m fine, I’m fine. There are bigger things to worry about than my temperature, Fili.” She smiled at him but he didn’t look convinced. “How about this—I let you nurse me back to health the second we get out of this place. Deal?”
“I’m going to hold you to that,” he answered while trying to stop the smile that’s breaking out of his lips.
With a quick kiss, she gave her promise. Now, all they needed to worry about was how they’re going to escape—Anna needed to shift. It was the only way. It didn’t matter if her strength could fail them or not. Much better to try than to stay here and let death take them willingly.
The transformation was agonizingly slow this time. Her skin and bones crack and shift like it was the first time she turned. Every stretch, every break, was a pain that was all too familiar and surprising at the same time. It took everything in her not to scream or even look mildly in pain. Fili didn’t need to add this to his list of worries, he already had much on his plate.
She’d endure. If not for her sake then for all of theirs.
A few dark spots littered her vision and her limbs may have felt numb. She didn’t care though. All that was running in her mind was that she needed to get them to safety.
A fairly large boulder came shooting out of the crater, hurtling straight towards them.
“Quick, we need to go!”
She helped Fili hoist Kili and Dwalin on her back before helping Fili up. Then they’re off.
The sound of the boulder crashing on the cliff behind them boosted her adrenalin. “That was close.” Fili let out a nervous laugh. But another crack echoed around them.
With wide eyes, Anna looked down to see the earth splitting into a number of pieces, snaking its way across the land faster than she could fly. It was pure chaos. Shouts and roars filled the air as countless of Sauron’s legion fell alongside the crumbling earth.
The ground swallowed them up like the very earth wanted to be rid of this cursed land.
She was relieved, and for the first time in a long while, she could breathe easy.
It was finally over—Sauron’s gone.
Wings beating at a fast pace. Now, all she needed to worry about was getting to safety without blacking out.
In the distance, the armies of man, elves, and dwarves stood by the gates of Mordor—the only standing structure that once belonged to Sauron. Everything else was gone, reduced to nothing but debris and ruin.
The ground between them and the gate had crumbled down, the destruction leaving them completely alone. A few hundred orcs managed to escape their doom, running scattered towards the safety of the forest beyond. Their numbers were still a lot, but compared to their previous force, this one was nothing. It won’t be long before someone, be it man, elf, or dwarf, would send soldiers to root them out once and for all.
The Ringwraiths were gone too, destroyed alongside their master, and their beasts scattered among the land. Good riddance. Better those dragon-like creatures remain as they were before the wraiths controlled them. And if they do pose a threat to the common folk then it won’t sadden her if they’re dispatched.
“Hey, you alright? You’ve been quiet for a while,” Fili asked.
“Yeah, I just—I can’t believe it’s over.”
“I know what you mean.” He chuckled. “My heart’s still racing from all that’s happened.”
“You sure it wasn’t from our kiss?” Even as a dragon, Anna still managed to smirk when she gazed at him.
“Well, that may or may not be a variable. More on the former, if you ask me.” He gave her a cheeky smile.
She laughed, already the weight on her shoulder lightening. But now that they’re settled, the adrenalin in her veins were starting to die out. With a start, her limbs started to go numb—the worst, so to was her wings.
Suddenly, they dropped for a few feet before she regained balance, her strength rapidly waning.
Gods, please not now!
“Anna?!”
“It’s okay, I’m fine.” It was always her reply even if she was the complete opposite of it.
The safety of land was still a distance away. They weren’t even halfway there.
So, she pushed herself. She wasn’t going to give up now, especially when Fili, Kili, and Dwalin were on her back, counting on her to get them to safety.
Another feet down, then another, and another.
Her wings felt like lead midway along the path. Fili talked to her along the way, but even his voice was starting to sound distant and echoey. And her vision was noticeably getting narrower and narrower by the second.
As much as she wanted to push herself, the darkness was lulling her to sleep.
“I don’t think I can hold on, Fili… I’m sorry.”
His shouts were deafened by the dull ringing in her ear. Before she knew it, her wings go limp—and they’re falling.
A vision of red and white darted across her eyesight before the darkness took over.
Voices. It was the first thing Anna recognized. A mishmash of familiar voices and unfamiliar ones. They were faint yet loud at the same time, as if the sound was blocked by thin walls.
She groaned, feeling sore all over, before opening her eyes. A faint bit of light passed through the cloth walls of the tent, informing her that they must’ve stayed near Mordor for the duration of her sleep—however long that was.
Sitting up was difficult. Her body was still in the process of recovery, and her limbs are yet to regain some semblance of feeling.
Her throat also racked with thirst.
So, instead of staying put, she reached for the glass of water sitting on the side table just beside the bed. When her hand closed in on it, a sharp pain shot up her hand, making her curse and drop the glass at the same time. Thankfully, it didn’t break.
“Ugh, great.” She winced at the scratchiness of her voice. *How long was she out?
“Here, let me,” Thorin’s voice came from her other side.
“Thorin!” As much as she wanted to give him a hug, she didn’t think her body could handle standing up just yet. Also, the giant bandage on his waist stopped her from doing so too.
“What happened to you?” She couldn’t help but voice out her curiosity as she watched him go over her other side, pick up the fallen glass with a wince, then pour water on it again.
“Azog,” he simply said. Then he gave her a smile as he handed her the glass. “His parting gift before we sent him to his death.”
She took generous sips of the water, already feeling ten times better when her dry throat disappeared. “How did battle go?”
“Horribly. A few of us managed to corner him just at the entrance Barad-dûr,. But the orc was smart as he was shifty. He separated me from my men, trapping the both of inside the tower. The fight ensues, and I managed to stab him in the gut. He fell,” he said, his eyes darkening ever so slightly. “When he did, I thought he was dead. In the haze of my victory, I walked closer to him, only to find him waiting for an opportunity to strike. And he did. His sword would’ve buried its way into my heart if it wasn’t for the timely arrow that struck his hand.”
“Legolas?”
“Legolas.”
Anna’s lips curled up at the sight of his ears turning a shade of pink. This was the second time he’d been saved by Legolas, she wondered how he’d repay him now.
“What about you, what happened there?” He nodded his head towards the bandages on her wrists.
All amusement died the second he said that.
She gingerly laid a hand on it, feeling the shame of what she’d done. She looked away. “It—It’s complicated. I had no choice.”
The bed dipped before she felt Thorin’s hand on her shoulder. “I understand, I’m not here to judge. The situation you were presented was a difficult one. And you only did it to save all of us.” Now, he was the one that looked ashamed. “My only regret was not rescuing you sooner. Maybe if we had then you wouldn’t have to resort to this.”
“It’s okay, you didn’t know what happened.” She paused, looking down at her wrists. “I thought I did too—I thought I was doing the right thing, the necessary thing to do, so Sauron won’t come into more power, but now I’m not so sure. Now, I think I did it cause it’s the easiest way out.”
Thorin didn’t say anything. Instead, he listened.
The words flowed out her mouth; all the pain she’d kept, the hopelessness, the desperation. The act surprised her, she didn’t expect to dump all of this on him. But once she’d started, there was no stopping it anymore. She told him everything until there was nothing else to say. She spoke until the weight in her heart lessened and the knot in her stomach untied itself.
And when she was done, silence stretched between them for a moment.
Then Thorin pulled her into a hug. “I may not have gone through what you have, but believe me when I say that there’s nothing to be ashamed of, Anna.”
He may not realize it but his words sent a sliver of relief to her. *What’s done is done. There was nothing she could do to change the past. But the thought of her friends thinking less of her because of her actions sent shivers down her spine. Thank the gods it wasn’t so.
“He’s right, lass,” a new voice spoke as the tent doors opened.
“Dwalin!”
He hugged her next after setting down a bunch of new bandages and some ointments for wounds. “I’m glad you’re awake,” he said with a chuckle before sitting on the bed beside hers.
“So, how much did you hear?” She asked, looking down.
“Enough.”
“Are you mad?”
“I’m furious—” She winced a bit. “But not at you, lass.” Her shoulders sagged in relief.
“My murderous rage is only reserved for that good for nothing *Dark Lord,” he added, eyes turning into slits. “I know he’s a piece of shite but I never thought him so low as to manipulate you in that way. *Love, ha! What does he know of love?”
“I don’t know, Dwalin,” she said, her voice so low she barely even heard herself. “I didn’t think he’s lying about that part.”
Surprise flashed in both him and Thorin’s eyes.
“What makes you say that?”
She didn’t even know why she was defending Sauron’s integrity. But it wasn’t him she was defending, at least not technically. It was more of his capacity to be good. That no matter how twisted and corrupted he was, there was still a small part of him that remained as he was before. Or, at least, that was what she chose to believe.
“He saved my life. He saw that corrupting me was going to be the same as killing this part of me, so he… took it back,” she simply said. “He could have easily just bandaged my wound and let the corruption change me, but he didn’t.”
“Sorry, let me get this straight, lass. Sauron has a heart? I don’t think that’s possible.” Dwalin chuckled, scoffing at the thought. But he was also right.
“I don’t know, it seems like it.”
The tent doors flapped open again.
“My dear Anna, that’s because you brought the good out of him,” Gandalf said as he and Kili entered. “You and him are like light and darkness; you bring out the best in him and he brings out the worst in you. It is a balance that’s as old as the world.”
Anna saw the quick glance he gave at her wrists. She hid both her hands below the covers. It wasn’t because she was still ashamed of it. No, Thorin’s words already assured her of it, it was more because she wasn’t ready for everyone to see it all at once. She didn’t think she could handle talking about it with everyone.
“Well, I’m just glad he’s finally gone,” Kili said before bounding sitting cross-legged at the foot of her bed. Gandalf gave him an amused smile, she did too. “What? I’m certainly not the only one who feels this way.”
Anna laughed. “No, no, you’re right. We’re all glad he’s gone. Me especially.”
“So, what now?” There was a faint buzz of nervousness around him. “What’s next for you? Do you plan on getting back to the Shire? Not that I want you to leave, it’s the opposite in fact! I wanted to ask if you’ll stay with us back in Erebor?”
What an odd question. She was almost amused that Kili actually thought that she’ll leave them now that their journey was over. Of course she’d stay. She’d even give up her place in the Shire if it meant she’d be with Fili for the rest of her days.
Before she could say anything though, the tent door flapped and in came Rowan and Smaug.
“She’ll want to meet the rest of her kin, of course!” Rowan gave her a bright and beaming smile. “The folks will be delighted to meet you, Anna, even Smaug. It’s been a while since the valley’s had any visitors, and a kin at that. You’ll both be the talk of the village for the next few months.”
“I’d be happy to meet them too,” she answered with her own smile.
“After she’s fully healed.” Smaug shot Rowan a pointed look.
“Of course, completely understandable.”
“So you won’t stay?” Kili looked crestfallen.
“What are you talking about, of course I’ll stay. Nothing’s going to keep me away from Fili.” Then she noticed the very topic of their conversation walk in.
Fili’s eyes instantly dart to her, a grin already on his face. “And nothing’s going to keep me away from you, love.” He sat by her side with a plate on his hand. “Here, you must be hungry.”
Just then her stomach seemed to announce its presence, growling loudly at the sight of hot food in front of her. “Thank you,” she said with a smile.
While she ate, more and more of her friends came in the tent. One by one or by groups, all found their way into the infirmary tent she and Thorin were staying at. Ori, Nori, and Dori. Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur. Oin and Gloin. Even Legolas and Tauriel.
Soon the tent was full of people—all of whom she considered her family.
Each one offered their congratulations to her. She refused to shoulder all the praise, so she thanked them all too for trying everything to rescue her. It was more than she deserved nor expected.
It was funny, she started having no one with only the comfort of her home and hearth to keep her company. It was only now she realized how lonely that life was. They helped her see that.
A warm feeling spread in her chest as she watched them all talk and laugh with each other, exchanging triumphs in the battlefield and their general joy at seeing everyone alive and well. The very air itself buzzed with a joyous atmosphere, Anna couldn’t help but grin.
A hand laced itself with hers, and she looked over to Fili who was giving her a look that sent the best kind of shivers down her spine.
“What?” She chuckled, heat spreading across her face.
“I forgot how you shine when you smile. Like a star in the night sky,” he answered, his own lips tugging up ever so slightly. “Gods, you don’t know how much I’ve missed you, Anna. There wasn’t a second that passed where I wasn’t thinking about you, worrying about you, *longing for you. I would have scoured all the corners of the world trying to find you. And I wouldn’t stop, not until you’re found. Not until you’re safe in my arms.”
She leaned her head on his shoulder as he circled his arm around her. “I know. Plus, I’ll probably do the same.”
He chuckled, looking down at her. “Gods, I love you.”
She stared deep at his eyes, butterflies fluttering inside her stomach. “And I love you.”
“Oi, get a room, you two!” Bofur shouted at the back. His words earned the two of them a good laugh and some teasing from everyone.
Anna’s face flared with heat and she hid her face on Fili’s shoulder, her shoulders shaking in laughter.
“You’re the ones that decided to come in here!” Fili sounded mad and amused at the same time. “If anyone should leave it should be all of you!”
“Well… you’re right!” Now Bofur’s the one everyone’s laughing at. He didn’t look bothered by it at all though.
The merriment of it all was perfect. A picturesque moment to be cherished and remembered. It left her with a feeling of content. They were her family, and she was theirs. It didn’t matter if some of them were of different blood or even different kinds. All of them; dwaves, hobbits, men, elves, and dragons. Nothing can break their bond.
Who would have known that a single signature across a long list of agreement could lead to this?
And she was just happy to be a part of it all.
The End