Zoor Se Dovahruth
Twenty-two

-Vokun Ahrk Virlaan-
Shadows and Schemes

In the damp and musky corridors of the Master's house, Keeva crept in the shadows unseen. A warm light at the end of one of the hallways peered through the crack of a door and Keeva halted in its wake. With precision and skill, Keeva's stealth was put to the test – weaving in and out of various shadowy shapes, behind tapestries and curtains, until she was upon the door and still nowhere near the light's touch. Without a sound, Keeva leaned into the door and listened. To untrained ears, all that could be heard were muffled sounds of chatter. But for Keeva there was a conversation to be eavesdropped upon.

"These damn bloody dwarves are becoming a nuisance!" the Master cried with despair. "They're eating us out of house and home!"

"If only there were some way to be rid of them, sire…" the sniveling Alfrid planted into his Master's head. Keeva glared, never liking the man from the beginning. He always made Keeva feel like a thick layer of slime had formed on the surface of her skin after Alfrid would give her a full sweep of her body with his dark pearly eyes.

"Too right, Alfrid," the Master answered quickly, "Perhaps if we talk with that girl – what's her name – the one that follows them around?"

"Keeva, sire."

"Right, Keeva," the Master agreed, "We'll speak to her. Suggest that the town's people are becoming anxious to see the defeat of Smaug and to have trade and business started up with Erebor."

"A most excellent plan, sire. When should we bring the girl?"

"Tomorrow morning," the Master said after a long pause, as though thinking was too much for him to handle. "Bring her to the study and we'll have a nice chat. Make sure you bring that Mandrake root she's been wanting for some time. I'm not sure what use it would be to her but bring it all the same. It may help our chances."

"Yes, sire," Alfrid answered quickly. Footsteps to the door kick-started Keeva's heart in her chest but she pressed against the wall of the door, bringing her hood over her fiery hair and the cowl up over her face. When Alfrid opened the door there was just an empty, dark and musty corridor. He shut the door behind him and hurried off down the hall to his chambers. Keeva waited until she heard Alfrid's door click shut and then she proceeded back down the hall on light feet.

So, the Master wanted her and the dwarves gone? No problem. Keeva had been feeling the same towards the Master and his flaky right hand man. It would be nothing for Keeva to convince her companions to leave. But she did need that Mandrake root and she convinced herself to endure the small meeting tomorrow morning just for Kili's sake.

Kili was getting worse as the days went on. At first, she'd only noticed the pained look in his eyes. But soon after - as nights passed - other symptoms started to show: clammy, pale, aches, and the festering of his wounded leg. Fili had given her the story of the company's escape from Mirkwood and how the pack of orcs had found them on their excursion with the barrels down the river. Kili had been hit and from the sound of the tale it had been a good shot.

So, while Kili would sleep and with the supervision of Fili – not so much that he didn't trust Keeva as he did his brother – Keeva cleaned and assessed her future brother-in-law's wound. It wasn't meant to be a fatal shot, no – it was only meant to infect, slow and ultimately kill days later. Keeva kept this to herself when around the others but she was honest and to the point with Thorin and Fili. "He needs medicine, mandrake root. If I can get my hands on that I could cure him of his infection."

Both did not understand the technicalities of potion making and to be completely honest neither did Keeva. But her mother had taught her how to make curtain potions for moments such as these and she intended to use them to her full advantage. "Do you understand how important this is?"

Thorin and Fili eyed each other and nodded, "This is life or death. I need you to make this the forefront of your most important issues before we leave Esgaroth for the mountain. Otherwise, we will have to leave Kili behind and if we do, I stay with him."

"But you must come to the mountain," Thorin insisted, "We will get that root."

But only a week later and there was still no root. It wasn't as if Thorin hadn't tried. He had, of course, but no one in this town really wanted to help. These were hard times, Bard had even said so when she'd secretly visited him. Keeva could still see the concern and pain Bard felt for his people in his dark earth brown eyes.

With a sigh, Keeva crept into the dining hall where many of the company were still up and about enjoying a flagon of ale. Thorin sat in the corner with his nephews, Balin and Dwalin, conversing in quiet tones and eyeing the guards stationed at the entrance of the house. Keeva dropped her hood and cowl and stepped forth from the shadows to allow the others to see her. When Fili spotted her from his corner shared with Thorin, he grinned sweetly – his way of inviting her to join.

Keeva sat down next to her dwarf, his golden haired head bending down to kiss the top of her head. Keeva leaned in to enjoy the small bits of affection, knowing full well that her time was slowly coming to a close. It was selfish of her but something in her craved everything she could get from Fili.

When they separated, Keeva shyly kept her eyes from meeting Thorin and even Kili, but instead safely met with Balin's –but never his brother Dwalin because he would have been the worst to look at. She could already imagine the mischievous grin that would be plastered there. To draw her and Fili away from the center of attention she decided to bring up the conversation she'd heard only a few moments before, "I overheard the Master of Laketown talking to his servant, Alfrid, about our company being a nuisance… I have a feeling we are unwelcome."

Thorin's eyes darkened, "Then perhaps it is time for us to move on for the mountain."

All eyes looked grave around the table and Keeva bit her lip before glancing at Kili, who was quietly resting his eyes. Dark circles began to form under his usually lovely eyes. "And Kili?"

"We'll decide the night before we leave," Thorin stated, glancing at Kili was concern. "We have not found the Mandrake root that you've needed."

"The Master is getting it for me," Keeva answered, hope filling her heart. Fili gripped her hand and squeezed it tightly with support, "Hopefully you can help him before we leave."

Kili opened his eyes to smile at Keeva weakly, "Thank you, Keeva."

She nodded with some concern filling her eyes. Standing from the table she asked Fili to help her take Kili back to his bed, "You should be resting. Come, we'll put you to bed."

After Fili and Keeva had Kill snuggled away under the blankets, his face washed and tunic changed, the two wandered back into their shared bedroom to enjoy the night's peace.

…

"Good morning to you, Mistress Keeva," the Master began after the Bosmer sat down in an intricately carved chair – which was less comfortable than it looked. After finding a perfect position in the rock hard chair, Keeva greeted the master with a forced smile, "Pruzah feyl to you too."

"Pruz- felya-" his butchered attempt to pronounce good morning in her tongue did not amuse her and the Master could plainly tell. "Yes, well- let me begin with why are you here."

Keeva blankly stared at the man across from her, no emotion – nothing for him to read into or how to proceed with her directly – so he figured politeness would be the more intelligent solution. "We've been listening to the anxiousness of the people of Laketown the past few days…"

The Master paused and Alfrid, who'd been standing at the open doors to a balcony, turned so that his eyes were on Keeva – looking her up and down greedily, "They want to know the set day of your departure."

Keeva's gaze dropped down to her folded hands and a slight smirk could be seen forming on her lips. She was trying her best to unnerve the two plot makers and so far her bodies movements were enough action to do so. "I see," Keeva started slowly. "I could have a word with Thorin today and set things in motion, but that all depends on my status with Kili's health. I need that Mandrake root and if I don't have it we cannot leave. Simple as that."

Both Alfrid and the Master looked to one another before Alfrid was motioned to fetch a small wood box setting on a work desk near the balcony doors. Alfrid set the box on the table between her and the master, it was simple, but small brass elbows were riveted to each corner of the box for the structural integrity. Keeva quirked a brow and reached over to lift the wooden lid. Inside, wrapped in a jute cloth was the Mandrake root. With a quick smile and a snap of the lid Keeva stood, "I'll have a word with him at lunch. Pleasure doing business with you."

Before Keeva could open the door and leave the vasinity of Alfrid's beady stare, the Master stopped her, "If you would permit me one last request?"

Keeva released her hold on the intricate iron handle to the door and turned slowly on the heel of her foot to look back at the pudgy man sitting in his plush and velvet chair, "Yes?"

"What exactly do you plan on using that for?"

"In my culture, Mandrake root is used to cure disease, resist poison, and fortify ones spirit," Keeva explained unsurely. She wasn't quite sure why he'd asked in the first place, but when he nodded and waved her off, she exited immediately and headed for the kitchen to get straight to work. She had to make this potion and do it quickly.

The Master turned is gaze to Alfrid and grinned, "I would very much like that potion, for my Gout. Switch out the potion with a fake before the dwarf gets it."

"Yes, sire."

…

In the wee early hours of the morn, a small shadow slinked through the corridors of the Masters house weaving in and out of the shadows on this moonless night. The occupants of the house were well asleep, having now decided to leave for Erebor the day after the morrow. Sleep would be a necessity for the journey ahead, making it a perfect time for the shadow to creep around the house to do its bidding.

This shadow had constantly been watching a single particular individual within the dwarf company with the skill to craft potions. And now that this individual had finished their project for a fellow member in their company, the shadow made its move – its sights set on the potion that had been bubbling all of yesterday.

The shadow slipped through the kitchens, where the potion was left to cool for its intended. The shadow had to switch the potion with a decoy and thankfully the color and consistency were the same as the decoy potion the shadow had concocted through a reliable source. Quickly, the shadow switched the contents of each container, pouring the fake into the Elf's bottle and the real potion into its own. With a wicked grin, the shadow departed back from whence it came, it's evil deeds having been accomplished.

…

Keeva had found herself standing before the docks, dressed again in her traveling gear, and surrounded by her companions. Earlier that morning, she'd given Kili the mandrake potion for his worsening condition. To be completely honest with herself, she wasn't sure the potion would work considering how worse Kili had gotten. She worried greatly that she'd waited too long to make the mandrake potion. Keeva glanced over at Kili, who she found leaning against a dock post jutting up from the lake's depths. He looked the same: tired, pale, and weak. The dark circles under his eyes only made him appear worse for wear, even with all the armor he was adorned with.

Keeva touched Fili's shoulder and nodded in her future bother-in-law's direction, "Fili, I don't think he's going to make it."

She hadn't meant that in a disrespectful way, but the look on Fili's face said otherwise, "We have been dreaming of this as wee lads. We cannot leave him behind."

"I didn't mean it like that," Keeva replied quickly, taking hold of Fili's elbow reassuringly. Her eyes softened in Kili's direction, "I'm afraid for his well-being. I want him to come but I want him to also be alive to do so."

As Keeva explained this to Fili, who began to help her onto the boat with his hand outstretched and the other holding onto the edge of the dock for support, Kili walked towards the boat but was stopped short by his uncle. "Not you. We must travel with speed, you will slow us down."

Keeva could see the smile on Kili's face as though he thought Thorin was joking. "What are you talking about? I'm coming with you."

"No," Thorin repeated, nearly startling both all three; Keeva, Fili and Kili. Fili then turned to his uncle with disbelief. The grip Keeva had on Fili's elbow squeezed briefly before letting him go. "I'm going to be there when that door is opened, when we first look upon the halls of our fathers."

"Kili, stay her. Rest. Join us when you're healed," Thorin insisted while resting a hand on his nephew's shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. Kili, however, looked betrayed. Thorin then turned back to the boat as Kili turned to walk away. Oin followed after him, "I'll stay with the lad. My duty lies with the wounded."

Oin winked at Keeva, knowing she'd done all she could to help, but it wasn't her place to stay. She was here for one thing. And that being a dragon. Keeva wouldn't be slaying dragons if she was to remain behind. But she felt all the regret and pain fill her stomach as she watched Oin taking up Kili with open arms. Fili then slipped through her fingers, "Uncle, we grew up on tales of the mountain. Tale you told us. You can't take that away from him!"

Keeva glanced back and forth between Oin and Kili as well as Thorin and Fili. Kili was trying hard to pull away from Oin's examination but Fili was staring his uncle down with a determined passion. Keeva hadn't really known how much this meant to them until she saw that one look in her little lion's eyes.

"Fili," Thorin began but Fili cut him off, "I will carry him, if I must!"

"One day you will be king and you will understand. I cannot risk the fate of this quest for the sake of one dwarf, not even my own kin."

Keeva's mouth dropped. Had she heard Thorin right? The look in Fili's eyes told Keeva she had. As her little lion looked to his ailing brother, he then stepped out of the boat and out of Keeva's reach. Thorin tried to stop him as well, "Fili, don't be a fool. You belong with the company."

Fili turned back on his uncle with a look of disgust etched into his features, "I belong with my brother."

Fili pulled away from Thorin and then turned to Keeva. She reached up to him and he bent down on his knees so that he could lean in to kiss her. She took what she could, a sob hanging on the back of her throat. So this was it? This would be the last time she would see her little lion? Keeva breathed deeply and slipped her hands into his sun kissed hair so that she could taste Fili one last time. When their lips parted and she opened her eyes to look into his – in hopes that perhaps she would see her future in those clear and beautiful orbs – and then told him her last words while slipping a piece of paper into one of his hands, "Hi los dii yol. Watch the skies, traveler."

…

Thorin watched the hardening of their half-breed companion as time passed after their departing of Laketown. Even Balin's careful gaze was on the girl perched at the bow of the boat. Balin, however, was more aware of the situation at hand than their leader, and as Thorin slowly walked to the bow to join Keeva's company Balin couldn't help but feel for the lass.

Keeva caught Thorin out of the corner of her eye, scooting over so that there was a place for him to set. He took it gratefully while viewing the entire company from that spot – but his thoughts were not on them and instead on the person setting next to him. Thorin was positive he'd upset her back in Laketown – with Kili and what he'd said to her intended. "You're upset with me – you've every right."

"Upset?" Keeva chuckled sarcastically. Her gaze, which had been fixed on the horizon of the mountain looming a head of them, then swiftly flickered to Thorin, "I know I've only had a short amount of time to know you, Thorin. But I like to think on quests, such as this, that companions get to know one another quite fast. And what you said to Fili was not the Thorin I know."

"Keeva," Thorin began but it was quite obvious Keeva's mind was elsewhere. There were tears brimming on her eyes and all he wanted to do was reach out and brush them away. But the pained expression, the furrowed brows, and clenching of her fists stopped him from trying to console her. She turned her eyes back to him once more before she let one escape, "Don't you dare tell me kin is not important. Especially after you know what happened to mine."

Thorin stared back at Keeva, his gaze unwavering. He knew – she'd told him at the beginning of this adventure and it was something she'd struggled with. Thorin had even tried his best to help her, as well as everyone in the company. It would have been the lowest thing for him to say family was not important and even more so if he'd said it to her. "I'm sorry, Keeva."

Keeva gave Thorin a weak smile before returning to the view of the mountain. Apologies were so small and insignificant now - especially with death greeting her with open arms.

…

Bard opened the door to his home after hearing a desperate rap on the wood for his attention. When he opened the door there stood four dwarfs, all varying in different stages of distress. The youngest and darker headed one was in plain misery. But even with the pain he could see etched across their faces Bard couldn't forget the problems they'd caused to him and his family within the past week, "No. I'm done with dwarves. Go away."

Just as Bard was about to slam the door shut, one dwarf shoved his foot in between the door and the frame, "No, no, no! No one will help us; Kili's sick. He's very sick."

Bard looked over the pained dwarf again. He was being held up by two others for support. When the dwarf's gaze weakly looked up at him Bard hesitated. He looked to the lighter haired dwarf then, the one he'd seen Keeva kiss that night in the town square after the dwarves had been caught trying to steal weapons. She'd mentioned her commitment to one of them - Fili is what she called him now that he recalled the conversation Bard had with Keeva. It was this dwarf that Keeva had told Bard to wait and watch for, 'He will help you.'

'How can they help, when they only think of themselves?' Bard had asked her with some distain.

'He has a good heart,' she'd sighed, running a hand through her tangled locks but smiling ever softly into the distance as if she could see the dwarf she was thinking about standing right before her. 'And for what it's worth, he's a decent fighter. If things come down to the way I have seen them, you will need him.'

Keeva had explained in that meeting that in this dream – this vision – that Smaug would attack Laketown after Thorin's company reached the mountain and woke him up from his slumber. Four of their company would be left behind because Kili would still be in terrible danger from the wound he'd received escaping from Mirkwood. The dwarves would come to Bard for help and in exchange they would also help protect Bard's children.

'When Smaug decends from the mountain, I will follow,' she'd told him seriously, her eyes growing dark, 'I will help stall Smaug as you use the black arrow to kill him in the weak spot just under his left wing. After he is dead I will trap his soul. Once that happens I need you to follow my every instruction.'

Bard listened to her very carefully. Her plan was detailed and well thought out – something he'd thought would have taken her days to maul over – but really was quickly put together after Keeva had realized how little time she had left. 'You promise to help me?'

Bard had nodded and shook hands in their agreement. They'd managed to smooth things over in just that short of a meeting. He'd gotten to know how much of an open hearted Halfling she was – how much she deeply cared for her companions moved him. But what really amazed him was the courage that began to bubble under the surface of this young woman's body. She was small – even fragile looking – but she didn't let that stop her from performing the impossible.

Before Keeva had left him that day, she'd given him one more instruction, 'When they come, only answer to this command-'

Fili stepped forward and handed Bofur the piece of paper that Keeva had given him. Nodding towards Bard, Bofur then turned around and held out the piece of paper. Fili spoke before Bard opened the slip, "Watch the skies, traveler."

It was only an hour later after Bard had held the door open and helped the dwarves carry Kili in. The dwarves had put Kili in bed as Oin searched for herbs and other ointments to help the slowly weakening young dwarf. Fili stood over his brother's bed side with Bard not too far behind. Bard stared down at Kili and gave a deep sigh, "She knew this would happen."

Fili turned to look at Bard with some surprise, "What?"

"Keeva," Bard nodded in Kili's direction, "She said she'd had a dream where all four of you were left behind as the rest of the company continued on for the mountain. She'd seen Kili getting worse and reasoned the Master would have had something to do with it."

"Keeva was here?" Fili asked, his voice becoming concerned, "When?"

"A few days ago," Bard answered and turned to walk toward the table to take a seat, "She had a proposition."

Fili followed Bard to the table and took a seat across from the man, his blue eyes growing dark with worry, "Proposition? What kind?"

"She didn't tell you?" Bard asked unsure. Wouldn't she have said something? Keeva had told him her plan would possible bring the end of her life. Why wouldn't she tell her friends? Unless she thought they would stop her? Bard hesitated, choosing his words carefully, "She foresaw the dragon attacking Laketown – though it had already been prophesized. She needed my help with destroying Smaug."

Fili knew Keeva was on this quest for that very reason. They'd all known that this day would come and that it possibly would be very dangerous. But with the skill and magic she'd shown them throughout their journey most everyone in the company believed she could take down Smaug – except for her… Fili's brows drew together with concern as he realized she did not belief in herself. "She doesn't think she can destroy Smaug?"

Bard carefully nodded, "Smaug and the dragon within her."

Fili's heart stopped, "No."

…

A/N: Yes, another one down! Hashing these out is getting a little better. But I do have to admit with Christmas around the corner it may be another long while before another chapter gets out. I've a few time consuming present projects I need to finish before the deadline sneaks up on me. If I've a little spare time I'll try to get the next chapter out as quickly as I can.

Now, I know in the film Thorin's company only stays for like a day or two in Laketown, but in the book the company stays close to a week's time in Laketown. I just thought it would give them enough time to rest and allow plans to hash out for Keeva before she proceeded to doing what she came to Erebor for.

Thanks again to all those that review and favorite.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Hobbit or Elder Scrolls. Any character that is not familiar is of my own creation.