Rhea's Journey- The Long Road Home: Prologue
Prologue: Of Meetings and other Romantic Things
The moon hung low in the sky, the star's warm glow illuminated the rich grassy plains below. Fields of farm lands took up most of the terrain as that was the main means of income for families of this area. Pale green eyes surveyed the land, peering through the window to look into the ever darkening night, brows furrowing with nervous worry. The young woman, for indeed many would consider her to be quite young despite her age of fifty two, barely of age really, for her people could live for several hundred years. She was a dwarf, a dwarrowdam of ever dwindling percentages as it was very rare for a female to be born. Though perhaps she could thank her ma'am for that, adding to the likelihood of her being born a girl due to her fae bloodline.
Her mother's people were a mystery to most, especially to her, the half blood get of the royal princess and heir of the Tuatha De Danaan. She felt her lip curl back in anger, the glint of a small fang evident, the royal fae, known as Sidhe, were horrible snobs, only pure bloods were of any importance to them.
Fools, they know not what they are missing. For indeed many of those of half bloodlines contained vaste amounts of powerful magics and strengths.
"Rhea, aren't you hungry? Come, eat." coaxed a soothing masculine voice. Pale green eyes ghosted over to the dwarrow before her. "Aye, adad," Rhea responded quietly as she walked towards her father, long,dark brown locks flowing down her back in loose curls as she seated herself across from him. A look of peaceful content appearing on her features once more as she momentarily forgot her earlier unease, at what was soon to befall her.
In truth, her father was quite big, massive really based on dwarf standards. Scars littered his form as he was once a dwarven high lord, a soldier who fought amongst the great King Thrain and Princes Thorin and Frerin. Now only one of the three survived having forfeited their lives in the battle with white orc, Azog the Defiler. Her father, Sather the Brutal had cleaved many heads that day and departed the remaining survivors with honor, choosing to retire on his own and raise his youngling, the little Rhea, a miniature of her late mother, Freya.
Her mother having recently passed due to iron poisoning- courtousy of Tuatha De, who couldn't live with the disgrace of having her exist outside their rhelm. Unfortunately for them they missed the fact that her young daughter was hidden deep within the cabinets, stashed there in a rush to keep her from harm.
Her eyes flashed briefly as her magic surged with the onslaught of her anger. Curse them to the very bowls of hell. Sather gave harsh grunt in annoyance at his daughter having felt the rise of her magic "Rhea what have I told you?"
Rhea bowed her head apologetically "forgive me adad. It won't happen again." Sather took a small sip of his ale before continuing to observe his daughter. Truly her moods had been shifting rather swiftly of late following the announcement of the fact they were to have visitors from royal house of Durin. Thorin, his sister-sons Fili and Kili and the possibility of their mutual friends Balin and Dwalin. Talk of a potential match between his wee lass and one of Thorin's nephews had arisen between their correspondence as of late. Sather's eyes drifter to his daughter watching as she picked daintily at the fish on her plate, this would be the first time she met other dwarves around her age range, as such he would hold his decision on the matter to see how the interaction progressed.
"All will be well lass. They're just visiting, no doubt you will get along with his boys just fine- I hear they're rather handsome!" Sather exclaimed wiggling his eyebrows and grinning. Rhea's eyes rounded as she quickly took a drink of her ale to still her choking before exclaiming "Adad!" A harsh bark of laughter was released as Sather pounded the table in merriment "what? I'm just having a bit of fun is all!" Rhea groaned as she pushed her plate away from her before thudding her head on the table top in defeat "please behave yourself while they're here adad!"
Sather was about to respond when a loud series of knocks came from the front door. "Ahh they're here' excellent, go on lass get some food plaited, enough for five I think should do." With those instructions Sather left to go get the door, pulling it roughly open with a boisterous "Balin, you old bat you've gotten greyer over the years! Dwalin, balding already, foreshame! haha Ahh and Thorin, my friend, it is good to see you again... Though age seems to be catching up with you based on those grey hairs!" Sather ribbed his friends in good humor as many back slaps and hugs were recieved as well as a head butt or two. The replies were hardy but Rhea couldn't make them out from her position in the kitchen, for some reason her father's voice always seemed to carry. Quiet was not something Sather was known for. "Ah, these must be the princelings, how ya doin' boyos?"
The question was voiced as the group entered the home allowing Rhea to get her first glimpse of the 'boyos'. First her eyes fell upon the youngest, brown hair, face filled with laughter, and though he had scruff on his face he bore no beard. This must have been Kili as she caught a glimpse of the bow and set of arrows he placed near the door along with his sword. He appeared to be polar opposite of his elder brother, Fili who had a thick mane of blond hair, and the beginnings of a small beard cut close to his face save for his moustache which bore two small braids that dangled near his mouth. He was handsome she supposed, they both were really, but she couldn't seem to help herself as her eyes drifted over them for a few moments before she returned to setting the table for their guests.
"Well bless my beard, is this the wee lass I remember of old?" Pale green glanced up briefly and she felt herself dimple with a smile as her eyes landed upon the stout form of Balin, his long white beard curled towards the ends and his eyes sparked with merriment as he beheld the young lass before them. He spread his arms out and welcomed Rhea, giving her a fierce hug before releasing her "it is good to see you again Balin, we have missed you and Dwalin too of course, welcome, please have a seat and partake in our meal!" Rhea voiced as she gave the ever massive Dwalin a welcoming grin as she gestured to the table before them.
Sather cleared his throat and drew Rhea to his side gesturing with his chin towards what she presumed to be Thorin Oakenshield. "Lass, you were just a wee babe when he last visited but allow me to introduce Thorin Oakenshield son of Thrain, son of Thror, and his sister-sons Fili and Kili! Lads, meet my spitfire Rhea!" At this Rhea gave an elegant curtsey keeping her head bowed and holding the position for a few moments before rising as was befitting her station before royalty- though they had no kingdom to claim as Erebor had been besieged by the dragon, Smaug.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Rhea," voiced Thorin, amusement lacing the formality as he observed his nephews who appeared to be struck dumb and mute at some point. The duo stood still mouths slightly agape as they stared at the girl with lingering want. A deep need was visible from them both as they observed Rhea who finally rose from her bow, eyes remaining down caste save for the brief flick towards himself when he addressed her.
"Thank you, my King, please be seated and be welcome." intoned Rhea formally as she escorted Thorin towards a chair, pouring him an ale to go with the fish and greens he and his kin were soon to partake in. Once he was seated Rhea glanced up towards the brothers "are you not hungry, my princes?" The pair visibly shook themselves, stumbling over themselves to get seated in their haste to reassure the young dwarrowdam that they were in fact hungry, 'starving really' was voiced somewhere in the scattered jumble of words that they blurted out as they rushed to sit by their uncle. A low giggle could be heard as Rhea took in the flustered brothers, both a distinct shade of red as they proceeded to eat their meals. Oh yes I think I could find myself liking them easily enough. Rhea found herself thinking as her heart fluttered, a warm feeling starting to grow within her at the mere presence of the two princelings.
The trio of young dwarves missed the shared glance between Thorin and Sather as both gave self satisfied nods. Oh yes a match was at hand, indeed, with what appeared to be not just one of the lads but two. The two match makers chuckled in amusement both ignoring the puzzled glances from Rhea as they took hearty drinks of their ale after clinking their cups together in a toast of sorts before they proceeded to finish their meals.