Chapter Text
TA 2759 - Early Summer
“And just what do you think you are planning?” Tauriel looked over from checking her expanded bag for travel. Legolas had settled her father into her old rooms, and even brought Haldir’s brothers to the adjoining rooms Haldir once used. While Maglor had not been thrilled that his child had been moved into the woodland princes’ rooms, he was glad to be here. To be able to watch over his child during the long wretched winter.
“I need to check the various fields around the kingdoms of Men and the Shire. The elves can easily deal with their own fields. The others not so much.” Maglor frowned, “The hobbits have the earth gift. They can certainly fix their own fields and they have one of your greenhouses to help.” “Agreed, which is why I am planning on checking the fields of men first. They have far less ability. The Dale is not far from here, so there first, then Rohan. As they are aiding Gondor against the attacks from Corsairs, those are vital.” She continued to check over her supplies. “The snow may have melted but that does not mean the danger to you is over yet,” Her Atya pointed out.
“As much as I loathe to be in agreement with him, I must concur. This is foolish.” Thranduil frowned from his spot in the doorway. While no one was privy of the discussion that occurred between father and son, the end result is that no one contested Maglor’s presence in the King’s Halls. For the most part the two kept away from the other. The bard did his best to stay away from most of the residents, keeping an unobtrusive presence to avoid adding to tensions.
She did not allow the amusement at the two of them being in accord show. “I understand your concern. Which is why I plan on starting with Dale, which is closest to us. As for whatever reason being Tauriel seems to be helping I will keep to that outside of working with the fields. If it is too much I will return.” Straightening up she turned to face them both. “I am going with Haldir, Legolas and my guard. I am not going alone.” She gave them a level look. “I have responsibilities to the land. That in fact is my primary responsibility. I will not take undue risks but this is something I must do.” Tauriel lifted her chin, “Do not force me into disobedience by trying to order me to stay. Do not force me to go alone by ordering others to stay.”
There was a long silence after her words. While Tauriell knew they were genuine in their concern, she would stand her ground. This was her compromise. They could accept that, or force her hand. The young elf was not bluffing and she hoped both of them understood that.
“I do not like this.” The near glower was from Thranduil. “I do not expect you to. The two of you could bond over how rebellious I am being if you like. It will not change what I must do.”
“That is an excellent idea.” Glorfindel’s cheerful voice sounded as he took his husband’s arm to steer him away. “Though I do not think the cellars here can compare to Imladris I am sure King Thranduil has something passible.” The King’s eyes narrowed as he looked at him. “I know exactly what you are doing. However, I have no problem proving you wrong.” He looked back at Tauriel. “You will submit yourself to be checked over and return here after every trip.” Then turned with a flourish to head out the door. “Come Noldo, I will show you what a proper cellar should be able to provide.”
Faircoivar crouched barefoot in the fields, one hand on the ground concentrating. “The land is drained, in more ways than one.” They looked up to the man standing next to them. “I can help, but that will not restore them fully. As many fields that can lay fallow to recover should. Cover crops should be planted wherever possible. Whatever fields you plant food crops this year should be left to recover in the next season.” Lord Girion nodded his understanding. “Understood. My Lord, would it be acceptable for you to concentrate your efforts on the fields we will grow food in this year? We do have seed enough to put cover crops in to help replenish the soil in the rest.”
The elf rose to their feet with a nod. “That can be done. I would focus on planting the most filling and vital of crops only. Next year, hopefully, more fields will be recovered.” The Lord of the Dale looked grim. “I agree. The storage you set up for us has not been fully depleted yet. With careful planning while my people will not have excess, they will not starve. Thank you for that.” A smile spread across Faircoivar’s face. “That your people are surviving is thanks enough. This year I will help the fields, next year I will recharge the stasis properties of the storage.”
A faintly troubled expression settled on their face as they looked to the mountain. “I fear this is not the last time they will be needed.”
Tauriel stood with two dwarves in the Warehouse dedicated to supplies for Erebor. It was not empty, but neither was it full. “Thankfully what farming that has been developed inside the mountain was not affected, but I fear we will be in for a lean time.” Tauriel just raised an eyebrow at Fundin. “Gold cannot buy food from those that are already in danger of starving. Yes, it will be very lean until the land recovers.”
Ravin’s voice was calm, “We will manage where we can. I do not think the King will agree to your terms for providing aid inside Erebor.” Tauriel frowned, “His responsibility should be to his people. Not his pride and greed.” While the pair winced, they did not refute her statement. Thankfully neither took umbrage at her words. Both were aware of her issues and growing concern. Equally aware of her reluctance to intervene unless it moved beyond affecting just the mountain. “He has done wonders rebuilding Erebor,” She conceded. “I just wish I did not have a sense of foreboding.”
A look of alarm crossed the expression of the dwarves. They were aware of her gift of sight. “Aunt, exactly what is it that you fear?” Frowning slightly at Ravin’s question, Tauriel looked pensive. “One of the difficulties is that I cannot See it clearly, I have not been able to. All I can say is that I See fire inside the mountain. I see fire and greed.” Fundin pondered her words, “Considering our great forges and the size of the treasury, neither is a good indicator of what the issue is.” The elleth’s smile was wry, "Hence my inability to issue a warning. They will not, and have not, taken my warning seriously.”
“We do Aunt. We are listening.”
*
TA 2770
”This is what happens when you trust the honor of dwarves!”
King Thranduil’s voice carried through the halls causing the trio to drop their belongings in the hands of waiting staff. They had only just arrived for a planned stay, even with most of their belongings in the expanded bag there were still travel things to deal with. Though that would have to wait until whatever angered the elven king so greatly was addressed.
Legolas led the way as they swiftly traveled through the halls. Not a run as there was no cause for it, but their steps did not tarry. The blond prince’s connection to his father had only grown over time, making the task of finding where exceedingly simple. Which is good because none of them expected to find him with the leaders of his soldiers gathering at his side.
“Ada, what has happened?” Legolas moved towards his father’s side, concern etched into his features. It was rare these days to see Thranduil’s temper expressed to this extent. The last time was before he had received healing. “What has happened is those dwarves have decided to steal from us, again! I will not have it, they have gone too far.”
Gilriant inhaled, being well aware that theft had caused some of the initial conflicts between elves and dwarves. Dwarves had stolen some elven treasures and lied to their king that the elves had simply refused to play their just due. Accusations of lying and dishonor had only fueled the tensions between the two. That was in part why he made the deal he had with Thror and reaffirmed it with Thrain. “What have they stolen?”
Thranduil’s attention swung to him and the very air seemed to vibrate with his anger. “White Gems of Pure Starlight. Jewels that a necklace had been made from for my wife. The crafting was supposedly a gift, and the gems which it was made from belong to the elves. Supposedly it was lost, and now it has been found by those in that wretched mountain.” Ah, well that would certainly explain why the anger was amplified. “There was a selection of gems to choose from to make the items. Now I had planned on compensating them in some fashion, even though the making of the necklace was to have been a gift, and the gems were provided. However, I will not pay for what already belongs to my people. Thror told me I could not have any of it until I paid them the worth of the jewels and their work. If they will not give them back I will take them back.” And that spoke of why the leaders of the army were present. The pointed lack of referring to the dwarven king’s title certainly added to the disdain of his words.
“You need not take back what I can claim by right of contract and magic.” Thranduil’s eyes narrowed at the younger prince, “Explain.” “First I need to clarify, these gems are elven heirlooms, correct?” One could see the muscles flex in the King’s jaw. “Yes.” A sly smile emerged on Gilriant’s face. “I entered into a contract with Thror and again with Thrain where both agreed upon the line of Durin to fulfill the terms. In exchange for two blades crafted with song-smithing by me, all elven heirlooms within Erebor are mine to claim.” There was a shimmer other emotion peeking through the anger on the elven king’s face. “They entered into a contract for weapons made with magic, from one with magic. If they do not give it to me, magic itself will enforce the agreement.” Considering how he worded the contract, that would always be true for all of Durin’s line.
“How would magic enforce the agreement?” Legolas asked intently. “The simplest method would be for the magic of the contract to simply pull all eleven artifacts to myself. Which may even happen as soon as I enter Erebor. Though I would like to try to talk them into it first.” A scoffing sound escaped the king. “They would not listen to you.” Gilriant continued calmly, “If that does not work and they try to prevent me from taking them, well at a minimum they would no longer be able to touch those blades. The more they try to prevent fulfillment of the terms, the more they would lose. What form that will take I cannot say unless it happens. But it would be a steep price.”
“They will refuse, Durin’s line has no honor left to it.” Thranduil angrily insisted. Considering he looked ready to take his army to Erebor though. “There is no need to wage war against Erebor. Not when I can simply take what I am owed if they refuse to give it to me.” Still the elven king looked unconvinced. “Ada, please, let me try. No need to risk elven lives if it can be solved simply.” The entire room stilled as the elven king stared at Gilriant. If using that title for him surprised Thranduil enough to actually listen, all the better.
It was likely a touch manipulative to do so, but the fact was that Thranduil was as good as another parent to the young elf. They all knew eventually the bond between the trio would be formalized. It helped that the elvenking had taken a parental-like interest in Gilriant. Wanting him protected and to grow in strength and ability. It mattered not whatever initiated the desire, he had still done all those things. While they did not have the instant familial relationship, in some ways this was better. It was built over time, and with great care and concern.
While invoking the contract would hardly be the most diplomatic of moves, if Thror was this far gone into greed diplomacy would be lost on him. If the root cause of this was the corruption he sensed before, then it was his responsibility to deal with it. For now it was spilling beyond the mountain into the relationships with other races. It was a poison affecting far more than just the dwarves that lived there now.
“You will go with your full guard and two additional guards. If there are any signs of hostility against you, you leave immediately.” This was clearly the King speaking. A royal command verses an order from his beloved’s father. Still a faint sense of relief flowed through him. “Of course. I will send word to my nephew that I am coming for an audience with Thror, using my titles.” The prince part and the Keeper of Balances at least. Invoking all the royal houses he belonged to might be problematic, considering at least one had been in a major conflict with the dwarves.
There may have been a faint pause from Thranduil at the mention of his nephew. While the elven king was well aware of dwarves having adopted him and all the visits, he likely didn’t appreciate the kinship claim at the moment. Yet at the same time it was another thing that would help Gilriant gain an audience and give his words some weight.
“You will rest tonight,” Thranduil ordered even as the tension started to ebb in the room. Which was a good idea considering they just came in from physical travel here. Gilriant still needed to do so on occasion as it was the best way to monitor how the land was doing. “Of course.” Then the young elf made a face. “I am going to need to sort out what I will wear tomorrow. Hedwig will likely have opinions after she delivers the letter.” The elven king arched an eyebrow, “You should listen to her. She has good taste and you need to be dressed as befits your rank.” Thankfully even formal elvenware was easy to move in and comfortable.
Then Thranduil’s gaze drifted to Haldir and his eyes narrowed. “You as well. In fact I will finish here and then come to your rooms to help.” The marchwarden’s eyes widened at the focus on his apparel. “Do not look so surprised, you are part of this and your wardrobe needs to be at their level. I will bring the tailor.” The minor bit of horror coming from Haldir sent a flicker of amusement through Gilriant. Apparently it was much more acceptable when it was happening to the young elf than it was to him. He dismissed them with a wave of his hand. “Go, I will be there soon.”
Yet the elven king was very correct about Haldir’s clothing. He would be considered a prince as well once the bond was formalized. The courting alone was enough to cause a need for his wardrobe to change to reflect his rank. The marchwarden was quite frankly lucky to have avoided close scrutiny until now. Inclining their his head, Gilriant grabbed Haldir’s sleeve to tug him to follow as the trio left the room.
“I imagine you are very glad I will not let them give me a higher crown right now.” Gilriant grinned.
They left the next morning in the pre-dawn light. Each of the trio dressed as their rank and culture demanded. Haldir and even Legolas could get away without too much jewelry as it was not their way. Gilriant could not. The Keeper’s circlet sat on his head and a few other pieces of jewelry adorned his person. Even the guards were in formal armor that gleamed when the rising sun hit it. The need for the extra pair of guards was evident when they took a full protective position. A pair flanking each of the trio with Maethel riding point and Gonben as the rearguard. Elven steeds being swift and with great stamina the group moved quickly towards the Erebor.
While it could be considered a bit rude to arrive so quickly after the letter was sent, it was necessary. None of them wanted Thranduil to change his mind and decide to bring the army to the mountain. Given enough time to be steeped in his discontent the elven king might still decide to do that. A sense of urgency beat in Gilriant’s blood, driving him to move as quickly as he prudently could do so. The rest seemed to catch on to his uneasiness for their pace did not slack.
They were still a short distance from the Dale when a feeling of nausea suddenly swept through Gilriant. Breathless, he had Lagorel slow and then stop, the rest stopping with him. All the steeds started behaving nervously, even Hallows and Tindel. This was a sign of something very wrong putting the elves on alert. The guard scanned all around them looking for what could have disturbed them as Haldir and Legolas focused on the young elf. It was Amathleg that spotted something massive moving through the skies. “What is that?” It was one of the veteran guards that joined them that answered in a far too calm voice. “That is a dragon.”
Gilriant looked up in horror as this huge creature of corruption headed their way. He was not strong enough to destroy anything that was that size. Their group was not equipped to even think of challenging a dragon. Fortunately for them, the dragon was not interested in one small group of elves. Unfortunately for the Dale, it was large enough to attract its attention.
The young elf’s heart lurched into fear for his dwarven family. They were split between the Dale and the mountain. Considering that he had sent the letter ahead, it was far more likely that most were in the mountain today. Sensing his agitation Lagorel gave a little half rear to clear space around her and then took off. Having neither bridle nor saddle no one could catch a hold of the meras to stop her. They could only follow, the phoenixes flying in close cover over their heads with Hedwig keeping pace with her elf.
Warning horns started to sound a beat before the dragon reached Dale. This close Gilriant could feel the magic of the first of the enchantments take hold. It only took one person sounding one horn. Then the rest sounded. They were echoed by a bellow of sound coming from Erebor. Then the corrupt creature started to vent its rage upon the city. Spewing fire that hit the gate, claws and tail striking buildings as it passed low over the city. It turned for another attack run, attempting to rain devastation down.
Fire bloomed, railing, roof, mortar and brick rained down to the scrambling populace below. Yet, it was the minor buildings that took the most damage. People took shelters in the school, guildhouses, the council building, the hospital and armory. The guard guided people into those places as their enchantments held. Protection from fire could not keep wood and cloth from turning to ash. It could and did keep dragonfire from eating into those buildings and protect those within. It could not prevent all damage, in fact it may be a good thing it could not. The dragon saw what damage it wrought and was pleased. None might have spurned it into stronger attacks. Between that and the sharp strikes of black arrows glancing and breaking off a scale was enough to turn it towards its true target.
Moving towards the mountain the dragon left the damaged city behind. It landed in front of the gates to the Lonely Mountain and bashed its way inside. Breathing fire and treating the dwarven warriors that tried to hold the line against as nothing more than minor irritations. Charging further inside to cause more damage. To destroy as many dwarves as he could and to follow to the siren’s call of massive amounts of gold.
He knew his protection held. Knew that he had laid the most on his family’s buildings in the Dale. Gilriant needed to have faith they had been protected as much as possible by those things. So while a part of him wanted to pause and check on any that were in the city, those in greatest danger now were the ones inside the mountain. So he raced on, the rest following as he reached for the power he held. Lines of silver energy started to light the young elf up. Tindil’s antlers started to shine and Hallow’s moon-bright coat glowed even in the bright sunlight. The silver traces twining around their chosen riders. They reached the entrance where dwarves were starting to flee the mountain.
Dismounting, Gilriant paused, “Lagorel, you cannot come in, but you can help, please.” The mare was breathing hard, even as she nickered an agreement. Switching to the common tongue the young elf paused to intercept a dwarrowdam with her children, begging her pardon before deftly depositing them on the meras. The mare carefully carried them away as the rest caught up to him. He focused first on the Captain. “Keep everyone moving until they reach the Dale or beyond. They cannot be close to the mountain. If they are close, this will make everything harder. If you can, make sure my family is alright.” When she started to protest, his expression hardened. “That is an order.” Legolas and Haldir had swung off their mounts moving to his side as he started pulling his violin out of his case.
No blade they carried would do any good against the dragon, they needed something more. There were lines of a plan being drawn into place but for it to work, he was going to need to use what he knew and needed a fluid connection so they could work together. A quick thought to Haldir and with the marchwarden’s assent, Gilriant turned towards Legolas. “I need help to keep us all safe and contain the dragon. To do what I wish to do, will draw you into a deeper connection to us. There is no going back from that.” While in theory the bond between the two could be muted and stepped back from before, if he did this, that would no longer be possible.
“We passed that point a long time ago. I care not for what you cannot tell me, I trust you.” Sincerity and determination rang down their connection. There was no time to second guess it. Gilriant reached, pulling and widening the connection between them all until a three way bond snapped into place. Linking the three and with each elf, a line to their bonded companions. As one the trio of elves turned towards the entrance. Fawkes, who had been visiting Imladris burst into the air above them, his feathers glowing and flickering like living fire. Each phoenix started gaining a shine reflecting their element.
“Let's show a dragon what a battle bard can do.” Thranduil had named Gilriant as such. Now was the time to truly earn that title. He laid bare his thoughts to the others and they ran inside as the dwarves ran out.
The group spread out, Haldir and Legolas seeking out and evacuating dwarves as Gilriant headed further within. He knew where his partners were, and they knew where he was. Thoughts flowed between them to coordinate efforts. While there may have been some mild protest at not keeping to the young elf’s side, keeping the dwarves out of the path of danger was important. If the dwarves tried to help, or protest leaving, that would make everything even more dangerous. The phoenixes lent aid to their partners as Tindil and Hallows raced with their progenitor. While the latter typically would stick with their chosen elf, by running towards the danger, they were protecting them.
Gilriant caught up with the dragon as the creature dove into the gold of the treasury. The shifting coins would make footing more of a challenge, but not an insurmountable one. He put the bow to the strings of the violin and started to play. Silver dancing light dancing and building around him as the dragon turned with a snort. “What is this? Do you really think you can distract me with this? Do you think entertaining me will save your life, it will not.” Well there was one way to answer that. Hedwig sent a short strong blast of snow and ice right into the fire drake’s face.
The dragon bellowed with outrage, rearing up. “ Do you think you can challenge me!? I will be your death!” The small group scattered as the dragon lashed out. Giving the beast multiple targets to choose from while Gilriant continued to build the power in his music. When he snapped at one of the phoenixes, Hallows and Tindil darted in to use teeth or antlers charged with shining silver power to distract. When he went for them, Hedwig blasted ice in his face and Fawkes used his own flame to counter the dragon fire.
Gilriant danced and spun out of the way of the dragon’s movements. Sliding along the shifting coins and lining up. The quartet of distractors pulled away right in time for him to send a blast of the music magic right at the dragon. It knocked the beast off balance and pushed him back. Enraged, the dragon started to thrash even as the wall of music magic pushed him deeper into the mountain.
Out of the corner of his eye Gilriant could spot a pair of dwarves doing something. In resp[onse to his alarm Agalospen popped up and started herding them away. She dove at them and used blasts of air to move them away until Legolas showed up to pull them away. A quick mental check in told him the evacuation was proceeding, but nowhere near complete. When the wall of music dropped the quartet resumed their harassing tactics. This could not kill the dragon, but it was buying them time.
There was a hum of magic in the back of Gilriant’s mind and as dashed to a new position he stopped playing for a moment to reach for the pouch attached to his belt. He yanked the mouth of it open and continued to let the magic flow. It would appear that his theory that magic itself would enforce the contract, was quite correct. With all the power pouring off of him, it was pulling the elven artifacts to him. There was a brief flicker of alarm from Haldir and Legolas when they could not hear him playing, so he quickly started again. He would need to trust in the magic to do what was necessary, as the bag swallowed items that came his way. Only when he could sense the flow of items had stopped did he swiftly pull it shut at the next pause in the playing.
Gilriant needed to keep his focus on the music and the dragon. One slip would end in disaster. So he trusted in his partners to empty out the mountain. He could not stop until they did so and he needed to know the moment it was done. This was not something he could maintain indefinitely. This was something that they knew as they were in turn keeping track of his work. He kept up the cycle of music and harassment, keeping the dragon’s focus on their small group, and not the escaping dwarves. The bard could not say how much time passed, only that he needed to keep going until all were safe.
Finally the whisper of knowledge in the back of his awareness told him the last of any that could be found alive were being herded out of the mountain. Time to stop playing with the dragon, and set up something to keep it from coming after them. GIlriant spotted what he needed and the group worked together to get the dragon into place. What looked almost like a missed strike by Hedwig flash froze one of the stone pillars. He built and built the music up higher and higher. This time when the quartet moved enough for him to get that clear shot he unleashed all of it, slamming the dragon into that pillar so it shattered and large chunks of rock rained down helping stun the dragon.
The music of the battle song ended, and he set the violin to something very different. He sank every last remaining dredge of magical energy as he wound a lullaby around the stunned dragon. Pouring himself into the music to push the corrupted creature into an enchanted slumber. More than just sleep, a sort of stasis that would keep it from hunger or other needs. The beast struggled against the pull, and he just channeled more power to envelope the dragon.
This would not have worked if anyone remained within the mountain. Any type of threat could rouse the dragon so he sent Hallows and Tindil to make sure Legolas and Haldir left. Sending what reassurance he could, leaving them access to his mind and plans. It was important they move out and away. Fawkes quietly flew out while Hedwig carefully glided from perch to perch following and guiding him as he backed away. Gilriant used the acoustic of the caverns, flooding the space with the lullabye. Agalospen drifted in, using what power over air she had to keep the magic-music vibrating the air, entwining around the dragon and sealing it into its deep slumber.
Carefully he backed out of the entrance, still playing. Sartamar had remained by the entrance and slowly, gently, pulled rock and earth into place. Sealing the mountain off from any that might try to enter. For that would break the magical slumber and wake the dragon. Finally it was safe enough for him to stop. The adrenaline from the fight to contain the dragon ebbing away with the last of his physical and magical energy. He had put everything he could into containing the dragon, into saving lives.
Gilriant’s vision grayed out, and he was caught by waiting arms.