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Mending the Broken Pieces	By : LadyLaran Category: Lord of the Rings Movies > Het - Male/Female Views: 13506 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own "the Hobbit" nor do I make money from this story. Tolkien and Jackson are the ones who own the characters and world.

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Author’s Note – I’ve been slow on posting lately, and I apologize for that. Real life has been a kick in the teeth lately with everything going on. I do hope you all enjoy this.

Disclaimer – I do not own “the Hobbit” nor do I make money from this story.

Chapter Forty-seven – The One Ring

Due to how busy the aftermath of the battle was, it took Gandalf several days to find the time to meet with the granddaughter of his heart. It didn’t take him long to find her as she was in Thorin’s rooms, taking notes as the king held a meeting regarding housing and food for the occupants of Erebor. Winter would mean difficulty in gathering food, not that there was much due to the desolation left behind by dragon and war, and Thorin was focused on ensuring the dwarrow and humans living within his mountain would have enough food and fuel for warmth to survive the cold months.

The meeting paused when the Istar entered the king’s bedroom and was greeted by the company, who were now Thorin’s council and advisers.

“I seem to have interrupted something important,” he said, taking a seat when Kili dragged a chair out for him.

“Just trying to get the numbers to match for food and fuel needs,” Balin answered. “Thankfully, Rivendell has committed to sending food and fuel as well as Lothlórien. With that aid as well as fishing and foraging in the areas Thranduil’s people deem to be safe, we should have enough food to last. The first of the fishermen and foragers went out today to get as much as they could to be preserved before the first snow falls for the winter.”

“That is good news,” Gandalf answered, lighting his pipe. “Elrond mentioned that Hawthorn’s uncle will be sending supplies to help rebuild the farms and orchards, and those should be here before the time arrives for planting. The instructions needed for that will be sent along with your things before winter falls and travel becomes impossible due to snow.”

“That will ease Bard’s mind,” Hawthorn said softly. “It give him something to focus on during the winter months. It’s better to have the farms and orchards planned out so they know how to prepare the soil before the seeds and saplings are ready for planting.”

“Indeed,” the wizard agreed. “Now, I believe I promised to take a look at the ring you found in the Misty Mountains.”

The hobbit pulled it out of a pocket, not looking happy to be touching it, and she held it out to Gandalf. The Istar reached out, almost touching it before he froze. A myriad of expressions crossed his face before he pulled back, and his voice held a note of worry and some fear to it as he questioned the group.

“Is the library deemed safe to be used?”

“It is but we’ve not gotten too far into it since the back section was still due to be inspected,” Ori answered, looking to Bofur.

“We took a look at it shortly before the battle. It’s steady enough through there,” the former miner told the wizard. “The mirrors aren’t in place so you’ll have to make do for lighting.”

“Gandalf, what is it,” Thorin asked, unnerved by the expression on the Maia’s face.

“I don’t know,” he said. “Hawthorn, keep it safe in your pocket and tell no one of it. This company must not speak a word to anyone before I have the answers I am looking for.”

All of them swore not to say a word and after the wizard hurried from Thorin’s rooms, all eyes turned to Hawthorn with expressions of worry on their faces. It was obvious she was both confused and uneasy by her old friend’s actions.

“In all my years, I have never seen Gandalf react like that,” Balin said. “While I’ve seen him worried, I’ve never seen him looking frightened. Whatever that little thing is you picked up, it’s got him very upset.”

The hobbit looked worried, not liking what was going on. She had just wanted to get rid of the ring, and it seemed that it wouldn’t be that easy.

“I hope it’s not too bad,” she said, voice tight as she looked down at the notes she was taking.

The others agreed, returning to the meeting, and despite the importance of what they were working on, everyone kept hoping that her wish about that ring not being something too bad would come true.

It took two days before the company was called to assemble once more in Thorin’s rooms. This time, Gandalf was accompanied by Galadriel, Glorfindel, and Elrond, and all three of them looked incredibly grave. Once everyone was seated, Galadriel began the meeting.

“Mithrandir spoke of what you found, Hawthorn,” she said to the hobbit. “He told us of what he saw when he nearly touched it, and we aided him in his research.”

“Hawthorn,” the Istar said softly. “I want you to put it in the fire please.”

The hobbit frowned at the odd request but got up to do as he asked, dropping the ring into the flames. She waited, watching as Gandalf used a set of tongs to lift the ring out of the fire and held it out to her.

“Wait a moment, the band was plain before you had me put it in the fire,” she said. “There’s writing on it now that looks similar to elvish.”

The company noticed the looks of strain, worry, and fear on the faces of the elves and wizard when her words were spoken. Glorfindel’s voice was soft as he answered her.

“The language is that of the Black Speech of Mordor,” he told her. “In Westron, it says ‘one ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.’”

“You cannot be serious,” Ori exclaimed, looking sick. “She found the Ring of Sauron in the goblin tunnels?”

“She did indeed,” Elrond answered, shaken but still showing calm. “The news is even more disturbing considering what we found in Dol Guldur. The Necromancer Radagast warned us of was none other than Sauron himself.”

Hawthorn sank into her chair, pale and shaking as voices exploded around her. Everyone was in agreement that the ring needed to be destroyed, especially given this piece of news, but the dwarrow knew that this would demand a unique set of circumstances because the One Ring was not created as the other Rings of Power had been.

Thorin roared for silence, and the dwarrow quieted around him.

“We know this ring must be destroyed,” Thorin said, looking to the elves. “As the dwarrow who called Celebrimbor friend, we know the Rings of Power need heat beyond what our forges can produce to destroy them. In fact, it took dragon fire to destroy the few that were not stolen by the Deceiver. With that in mind, how do we destroy that evil thing before Sauron gains enough strength and realizes his ring is here?”

“The only way to destroy the ring is to take it into the heart of Mount Doom,” Elrond answered. “That is where it was forged, and that is is where it can be unmade.”

The king frowned for several long moments, contemplating what needed to be done, and he looked at the elves.

“Can any of you take it into Mordor without becoming ensnared by it?”

The three elves looked at each other for several long moments, and Glorfindel shook his head. He hated the answer he had to give.

“No, we cannot bear this burden into Mordor,” the Balrog Slayer told him. “We can escort someone who carries the ring, but we will not be able to hold it because it will try to use us to get it back to its master. The closer we get to Mordor, the stronger it will become.”

“So what you’re saying is that we need to form a company and take it to Mordor ourselves,” Dain asked, expression hard as he looked to the older beings.

“A ring bearer must be chosen and a company formed to protect that person,” Galadriel replied. “It must be done swiftly before it begins to wake and corrupt the one who carries it.”

“We won’t be walking into Mordor,” Gandalf said. “At least, not all the way. I’ll be asking Gwaihir for his aid in the journey from here to Mordor. I have no idea if they can take us all the way to Mount Doom, but any distance will be of great aid to us.”

“You will be escorting the ring bearer,” Thorin asked, not too surprised considering how Gandalf was in regards to ensuring the safety of the people of Middle Earth.

“I will be,” the wizard answered gravely.

“As will I,” Glorfindel stated. “Elrond can do without me for some time, and I know his sons will remain here to assist in the healing of those still injured while he has to return to Imladris soon. While I cannot carry the ring, I can help the one carrying it.”

“The question now is who is going to carry it all the way to Mordor,” Bofur commented from his seat, looking rather displeased by everything going on.

“If you want my opinion,” Oin stated. “The one who carries this burden should not be a dwarf from Durin’s Line. We do have the weakness in us, and those who are able to withstand it do so only because of the bonds they share with their Ones. If the ring should start to regain strength, it would be all too easy to ensnare us.”

“The dwarrow kings given the rings by Celebrimbor withstood them,” Ori pointed out.

“Yes but the One Ring is vastly more powerful,” Balin explained. “Even with our hardy natures and love for our crafts, it would find a way to corrupt us where the seven dwarf rings could not.”

A voice chimed in that surprised everyone, and Thorin felt a mix of fear and pride when he recognized it.

“I’ll be the ring bearer,” Hawthorn said. “I was the one who found it, and I should be the one to take it so it can be destroyed.”

The company tried to object, and she managed to make herself heard and calm them down as she presented her reasons for going.

“Some of you are too injured to do this even if you weren’t of Durin’s Line,” the hobbit pointed out. “All of you are important to restoring Erebor so that the dwarrow in Ered Luin can come home to find they have places to live. I’m too disgusted by the wretched thing to be pulled in by it so I think I can handle carrying it for a short while longer.”

Helka spoke up, addressing the group.

“As her shield-maiden, I will go with her and protect her,” she stated, drawing a grateful look from Thorin.

There was a bit of background noise after that, and Thorin gestured for his own Shield to step forward. He murmured softly in Dwalin’s ear and after a few moments, the burly dwarf went to Bifur to discuss something with him in a low tone. After a brief discussion, the tattooed dwarf spoke up.

“I will be going as well,” he said, aware of Hawthorn’s eyes on him.

“Dwalin, you’re Thorin’s Shield and leader of his troops,” she objected. “You’re needed here.”

“Bifur will be taking over as Thorin’s Shield until I return,” the balding dwarf replied. “Your task is one of great importance and as our king cannot go with you, I will go instead to ensure that Erebor’s greatest treasure returns home safely.”

Hawthorn blinked, confused by his words, and Kili spoke up before she could question Dwalin on it.

“I’ll go as well,” the prince volunteered. “Since uncle can’t go and Fili is needed here, I will go in Thorin’s stead and provide the strength you will need. Also, another archer could be useful.”

Thorin gave his sister-son a grateful look; the bond between him and Hawthorn would be useful but since it wouldn’t be at full strength until after the wedding, he would not be able to provide as much strength as she would need to fulfill this task. Having Kili there to provide comfort, reassurance, and strength as her future nephew would help ease his worries a great deal.

“Balin, have someone find a chain to put that damned thing on,” he instructed. “I would feel better knowing it wasn’t laying in her pocket where it could be stolen or lost. Also, how quickly can supplies be gathered for them?”

“We can have everything ready for them to leave tomorrow morning,” Dain answered.

“Then they will depart at that time,” Thorin said, relying on his strength to hide his worry about his loved ones leaving on such a dangerous mission. “We will support them with prayers to Mahal and ensure that Erebor is ready for their successful return.”

The company dispersed afterwards with the ones who had volunteered to go with Hawthorn going to prepare their equipment. Once the group had gone, leaving Helka as chaperon, Thorin looked to his betrothed.

“I know this is necessary, but I wish you didn’t have to go do this. My heart aches at the thought of you leaving,” he admitted as she sat on the edge of the bed and took his hand.

“I wish I didn’t have to go too,” Hawthorn answered, looking tired. “I know there’s a lot I could be helping with here, and there’s wedding preparations as well as the steps I have to go through for the Acts of Devotion.”

“If a date is scheduled, I promise it will be far enough ahead so that you and I have time to perform the Acts,” the dwarf assured her, thumb caressing her palm.

“That’s good,” she said, sighing softly. “We have to wait until your sister gets here anyway; she’d murder us both if we got married without her.”

“There is that,” Thorin admitted, making Helka snicker in the background. “Don’t think you wouldn’t get in trouble for allowing it,” he bantered at the dwarrowdam.

“Oh I know I would, but I still find it amusing you have your future bride already planning on staying out of trouble in regards to Dis,” Helka said with another giggle.

“Any sane person would do their best to stay out of trouble where my sister in concerned,” he deadpanned, eyes twinkling with mirth.

Hawthorn just smiled at their antics, holding onto his hand. These were memories she would keep with her during her journey, and she prayed that the Valar would keep her group safe as well as those she was leaving behind to take care of this wretched ring.

Thorin met her eyes, kissing her hand softly before addressing her in a reassuring tone.

“You will be fine,” he said. “You have three strong dwarrow to watch over you as well as the Balrog Slayer himself. Gandalf will be there too so I know you’ll be as safe as possible.”

“I just hate this,” she admitted. “I’m afraid and haven’t left yet.”

“You faced a dragon, ukradel. You can face another mountain to drop a ring into its heart,” he assured her. “I’ll be with you in spirit; our bond is there for you to rely on, not just me.”

Tears filled her eyes and after a quick glance at Helka, who nodded, Thorin drew Hawthorn into a warm hug. She held onto him, crying softly as he murmured words of reassurance. If he could, he would gladly take this burden and fulfill this task but he knew he couldn’t. All he could do was provide what loving support he could and send her with those he trusted so that the greatest treasure of his heart would be protected and return home to him.

Author’s End Note – And now the One Ring has been identified. What do you think of the choices for those who are going with her to destroy it? Please let me know what you thought of the chapter. Also, enjoy the holiday season and please be safe. I will see you all next chapter! ~ Laran
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Mending the Broken Pieces