Thror, king under the mountain, led his people through Middle Earth in search for a new home. The dragon Smaug had just taken Erebor and defeat lasted heavily on the dwarves minds as the formaly proud and rich folk wandered the lands of Middle Earth. Their kin and allies had forsaken them. The dwarves of the Iron Hills had no means to accomodate the dwarves of Erebor and the elves of Mirkwood had turned their backs at them.
Thrors son Thrain and his grandson Thorin did their best to keep the dwarves of Erebor together, Thorin even labored in the village of men as a blacksmith to earn some money and many dwarves followed his example. The dwarven work of smith was well received by men, but the dwarves were not. The dwarvish pride and the mens arrogance got the two races into trouble with each other more than once and everytime the dwarves had to push along. Thorin proved to become a great leader of his people someday. He was intelligent and brave, leading on the dwarves of Erebor even when hope was lost. Thror often wondered how his grandson could come up with such energy and spirit. In the villages of men Thorin was the one who lead the diplomatical negociations and won the lords trusts. And the ladies eyes. Thror smirked as he thought of the broken hearts his grandson had left behind when they had left the villages of men. He did not know why, but the females of the human race saw something in Thorin that made him irresistible to them.
They had been on the road for years now, years of uncertainity and peril. The dwarves of Erebor were homeless travelers and this had to stop.
South of Ered Luin the dwarves arrived at the Blue Mountains, a rock formation full of ore and silver. But they weren´t the first inhabitants of the Blue Mountains. A small kingdom of men had settled there half a millenium ago. They had come from Mordor, from the lands of Nurn and the Ephel Duath, the Mountains of Shadow. They were no evil men, in fact their king was a descendant from the line of the Dunedain. They had lost their home to the dark forces of Mordor, the orcs. The Blue Mountains had offered them work and shelter and a delegation had visited Erebor about ten years ago. The king of the Duath, so the name of this particular folk, had died two years before the dwarves arrival and the Duath were now ruled by his oldest daughter, Runa, since the king had no male heir. Thror remembered her and her little sister Oda from their stay in Erebor. They were the same age of his greatgrandchildren, Fili and Kili, his granddaughters sons. They had spent alot of time together and the little Oda had become a close friend of Kili. Fili was not so much of her liking, in fact she had broken his nose as he had called her pretty. The little girl had behaved like a boy, much to Thrors annoyance, but since her mother had died after her birth it was not surprising that her father had raised his daughters as his heirs, as such teaching them things only male children should be told, like warfare, tactics, history of war and martial training.
Now the dwarves of Erebor walked right into this small kingdom led by Runa, the young queen of men and Thror was determined to enforce his will onto the young girl.
Oda watched as the delegation of dwarves arrived at the gates of the Blue Mountains. She recognised king Thror and his son Thrain and Dis brother Thorin. Peaking out of her window she looked for Kili, her childhood friend. But she did not see him.
'Oda, we must prepare for the reception.' Runa, her older sister and queen told her and held out the crown of her people. Since Runa had become queen, she and her sister had established a defensive diplomatical way of negociation. Runa was the queen, but many lords and kings underestimated the young womans rulership. Many had tried to depose the young queen through marriage, threats or even assassination attempts. Oda had become Runas bodyguard, appearing as a double for the real queen. If someday an assassin would be successful then the real queen would be spared. Oda knew the danger, but it was a matter of honor for her to protect her sister. Now she placed the crown on her head and looked into the mirror. She was sixteen years old, her sister was two years older. She already knew that Thror would not take any of them serious. Her sister Runa would appear at her side as Oda, they would switch identities for the reception, as long as they did not know if they could trust the dwarves. They had learned about the loss of Erebor and the arrival of the whole kin of Durin was no good sign for the small kingdom of men.
Thorin walked into the great hall inside the Blue Mountains at his grandfathers side. This mountain was nothing compared to Erebor, but it was his peoples only chance. He knew that his grandfather planned a peaceful take-over of this kingdom of men. A kingdom ruled by a young queen, barely a woman. Thorin remembered the young Runa vaguely, a thin and pale thing, silent and thoughtful. He was surprised to see a beautiful young woman with a strong aura sit on the throne of the great hall. The silver crown graced her brown hair which was bound back into a ornate knot. Coal framed brown eyes which looked at the dwarves and the full red lips were pressed to a thin line. The young queen seemed to guess the dwarves purpose and braced herself for their request. Thror stepped forward to greet the queen.
'King Thror, was an unexpected surprise.' the queen greated the visitors. She had to speak first to show her superiority as host. Her voice was quiet, but steady.
Thror bowed and Thorin followed his example. As he looked up again he took the chance to glance at his surroundings. The queen was surrounded by her four maids and her sister. Her sister looked at Thror with big green eyes and seemed insecure. Thorin frowned. Was this the same girl who had been a friend to his nephew Kili? The same girl who broke Filis nose? His thoughts were interrupted by the queens statement.
'We have learned that the kingdom of Erebor was taken by the dragon Smaug. My condolensces to you and your people, king Thror.' the queen stated. Thorin could hear real sympathy in her voice and that hurt his pride. 'You are of course welcome to stay in the Blue Mountains as long as you need to find a new home.'
With this offer the young queen had thrown Thror out of balance. They had experienced so much animosity from men and elves so far and Thorin nearly had a bad conscience about the fact that they tried to take the kingdom from a queen who was the first ever to offer them shelter whithout being asked. He felt his grandfather struggle. At last, Thror gave in.
'This is a very generous offer, queen Runa.' Thror stated reluctantly.
'We will see to it that you and your people get accomodated and receive shelter and food. If there is anything you need, please tell me.' With these words the queen stood up and prepared to leave. She gave her advisors a sign to get their intructions from the dwarves. As she turned around her gaze met Thorins for a short while and Thorin could see a determined gleam in the brown orbs. He knew then that he should not underestimate her.
'Uncle!' Kili came rushing towards Thorin as he left the great hall. 'Have you seen her? How is she?'
Thorin smirked at his nephews curiosity. 'If you mean your friend Oda, she seemed well. Although I remembered her being more...agitated.' He remembered all too well how Fili, Kili and Oda had caused one mayhem after another in Erebor. the silent woman at the queens side had nothing of that girl he remembered.
'I can´t wait to meet her again!' Kili grinned.
Fili on the other hand looked anxious. He had no good memories of Oda. 'I only remember her brown eyes staring at me furiously after she hit me. Personaly I do not look forward meeting her again.' he grumbled.
Thorin frowned at him. Brown eyes? He was sure that the queens sister had green eyes. Shaking his head he walked over to his grandfather. They had better things to do than muse over such an unimportant thing. The moment he started giving instructions to the royal advisors how to accomodate his kin the queen and her sister were forgotten. For now.
Ok, first chapter...please tell me what you think...^^