Hey guys! So this is a new idea I had and I am not sure how much I like it. Let me know in reviews or messages. Much appreciated.
Also, I do not own anything you recognize. My OC I do own. Enjoy.
I had been a guest in the halls of Durin when it happened. I had been there when the mountain was engulfed in flames. I was able to help save some but many still died…
I had arrived a week prior. I was the daughter to a friend of the king. My father always came to pay his respects when we were ever in the area, my father being a diplomat amongst the humans.
We entered the great halls and I was just as amazed as the first time I saw it. To think that rock and stone could be manipulated in such ways was unfathomable.
My father and I were led to the throne where the king, Thror, sat. His face lit up as did my fathers. They embraced like kin and then released each other.
"King Thror." My father bows his head in respect. I curtsy and stand a foot behind my father.
"Estmund Tuskmore. And your daughter, Alvina. A beauty like her mother." The king compliments with a kind smile. I return it with ease.
"You are familiar with my son, Thrain. And his son, Thorin." King Thror reintroduces. Both of the dwarves standing beside the throne bow their heads in acknowledgment. Father does the same as I curtsy again.
"Come! Tonight we feast." King Thror announces jovially and leads his son and my father deeper into the mountain. I remain and watch as they leave.
When they are gone I find that Thorin is still here with me.
"Prince Thorin." I curtsy and take my leave. A walk around the halls alone it is.
Or maybe not.
"Miss Tuskmore." I hear my name called and I stop and turn to see Prince Thorin approaching me.
"Your highness?" I ask unsure of his intent.
"Would you like a tour of the mountain? There are many things to see." He tells me and I can't help but smile.
"I would very much enjoy that." I speak honestly. He gives a small smile and lends me his arm. I take it with my own and he escorts me around the mountain, showing me the wonders it holds.
We end up in the treasure hoard and the golden glow is near blinding.
"This place is spectacular. I did not know so much gold even existed. Why, the shine is nearly blinding." I say as I squint and he smirks at my reaction.
"The wealth of dwarves is known far and wide throughout the lands. But words can not do it justice." Prince Thorin says proudly.
"I agree wholeheartedly. Thank you for showing me this. And the rest of the mountain. It truly is a marvel." I compliment and he smirks again.
"Does being away from the sun bother you? Most humans can not stand to be out of daylight for more than a day." He asks me as he leads me up the tall flights of stairs.
"Not much. My father often teases me of being a hermit with how little I leave our home. I do not need the sun like others do." I confide. He says nothing but I can see he is thinking on this now.
"Do you miss the sun?" I ask him now, turning the question on him. He laughs a hearty laugh and it makes me smile.
"No. Dwarves are very comfortable living away from the sun. That is not to say we don't enjoy it but we are meant for living in mountains." He tells me and I take this in. Very interesting indeed.
I take the time we walk in silence to cast sidelong glances at the dwarf escorting me through his home.
Full head of black hair. Long and shiny. Blue eyes in a face chiseled like a fine sculpture. Well kept short facial hair. Sturdy build draped in fine clothing. Dwarvish design that clashes with my human clothes. He is also shorter than me. Not by much though. I need not bend down for my arm to rest on his.
"Come. You must be hungry. Supper will be being served shortly." He suddenly says and I smile, not realizing until now just how hungry I was. Nor noticing how much time had passed since father and I arrived. It was just after midday meal we entered the mountain.
"Please lead the way." I say with a smile lighting up my features.
After dinner I am shown to my room by a female dwarf named Dis. Apparently she is the princess of the mountain and only daughter of Thrain.
"Thank you, Lady Dis. Have a peaceful night." I wish her as I enter my room.
"You as well Miss Tuskmore." And with that I shut my door and begin preparations for rest. I strip down to nothing and enter the personal bathing chamber. I quickly scrub myself with the warm water that must have been brought in before me and then change into sleeping clothes. Tomorrow I don't know if we stay or move along. I rest up like we will be traveling again.
In the morning a handmaiden enters my room and assists me with getting ready. She helps me lace up the back of my dress and then proceeds to brush and style my hair.
When I am satisfied with the way my hair flows down my back and the two small braids that pull back and meet in the back of my head, I leave my room and make my way to the eating hall.
I enter and see I am the last to arrive.
"I apologize for my tardiness." I say to the king and he just smiles and waves it off.
"Time well spent. You look extravagant." He compliments. I blush and hurry to take my seat beside my father. We then begin to eat.
"Thorin." The king calls his grandson as we leave the dining hall. Thorin comes over.
"Yes my lord?" He questions with loyalty lacing his voice.
"Perhaps you could entertain Miss Tuskmore while me and her father discuss some things." King Thror more tells his grandson than asks. But Thorin seems not to mind as he bows his head and then redirects his gaze to me.
I look to father for approval and he nods firmly. I smile and look back to Thorin.
"Shall we?" He asks as he comes up to me and offers his arm again.
"We shall." I say as I place my arm in his and we walk like before.
"What do you like to do in your free time?" He asks me as we walk through the halls.
"Hmmm. Baking, reading, swimming. And yourself?" I ask as I look at him.
"Training. Learning what it takes to be king. One day I may be king, you know." He says and smirks at me. I chuckle and nod.
"A fine king you will make." I compliment and it seems to boost his ego.
"Thorin…" I hesitate to finish my question. He stops walking and looks at me.
"What is it?" He asks me seriously.
"I was wondering if you would show me the forges. I have heard magnificent things." I say shyly and he smiles.
"Of course. This way." He says and leads on. I grin like a little girl that got a new doll.
We enter the forge through the giant metal bars and the heat hits me immediately. I was not expecting it and, as a result, stumble back a bit in shock.
"Are you alright, Miss Tuskmore?" Thorin asks becoming concerned. I just smile and soak in how the heat feels. A sweat breaks out across my body instantly.
"I am fine, thank you. I was just not expecting such heat. A folly on my part. I did ask to see the forges." I tell him and he nods.
"If it is too much we can leave." He offers but I turn him down.
"No, thank you. I was just unprepared. I will be alright now. Continue." I smile at him and he returns it, albeit a bit hesitantly. He then leads me into the forge area and shows me around.
Once we have been through the forges I am afraid I am in a right state. My hair is damp from sweating and my clothes stick to me in an unladylike fashion.
"I apologize for my appearance. I did not realize I…" I don't speak the rest of my sentence. He gets the gist and waves off my comment. He seems to not be all that different from our time in the forges, unlike me. He is still in a proper looking state.
"Perhaps I should freshen up and then meet you for midday meal?" I suggest and he nods.
"Perhaps that would be best. I shall walk you to your room." He insists. I accept and he takes care to get me to my rooms.
"Thank you. I will see you shortly." I say as I enter my room. He bows his head and takes his leave. I close my door and hurry to wash as best I can. The water is cold in the wash basin but I use it anyway. I do not want to waste time by calling for fresh water.
Instead of rewashing my hair I put it up as best I can. I tie it with a leather strip and it looks well enough. The braids get wrapped around my bun and it gives it a very feminine look.
I then change into a new dress and tie the back as best I can before leaving to go eat with the rest of the court.
Once again I am late. My father seems bothered by this but King Thror just smiles at me. I smile back embarrassedly and take my seat.
"Why are you late again?" My father asks me in hushed tones during the meal.
"I had to freshen up. I looked a right mess after being shown the forges." I tell father truthfully. He softens at this.
"I see. Well do not make it a habit of showing up late. This is the last time it is to happen, understand." My father says sternly and I nod. I do not want to face his wrath.
After midday meal I am taken by Lady Dis. Seems she wants some female company, as it is hard to come by with female dwarves being so rare.
So we go off and she decides to take me to the tailor they have. Seems she wishes to see me get a dwarven dress made.
"I really can't afford this. And father would never approve of spending money to get it for me." I try to tell Lady Dis but she is having none of it.
"Hush. This is a gift from one friend to another." She says with a smile. She then goes to discuss with the tailor as my measurements are being taken.
Time passes quickly. We have a splendid time together. Seems I missed the female interaction as well; what with me always keeping to myself when home.
After getting myself measured and Lady Dis picking out material and prints for the clothes to be made from, we end up going to her room where we sit and enjoy some tea and talk about everything there is to talk about.
We are reminded about supper by her personal handmaiden and we leave her room right then to make it on time. I will not be late again.
After dinner I am asked by Thrain if he can escort me to my rooms. I agree but am curious as to why he would want to.
"Tell me child, is there a man in your life?" Thrain asks and I blush at the personal question.
"No, sir. I don't get out enough for anyone to be interested in me." I tell him honestly.
"Hmmm. Do you like it here?" He asks me now.
"I do. I think it is magnificent." I again am honest with him. If I didn't know any better I would say he knows of someone interested in me. I hope it is not him!
"Very good. Do you think you could live here?" He asks me now. I turn and look at him as we walk.
"Sir?" I ask, not liking nor understanding why he is asking these questions.
"It is just a question. Go on." He prompts me to answer. I look ahead and see my door off in the distance.
"I believe if I had a good reason I could." I answer and he smiles softly at this. We make it to my door with no more questions. He turns me so I am facing him, my back near against the door.
"Rest well, Miss Tuskmore." He says and then grabs my hand and brings it to his lips. His mustache tickles my hand as he kisses my knuckles. And then he leaves me to enter my room and think on everything he said on our walk.
Is he planning something? Does he know something I do not? Father would not have betrothed me to someone without talking to me first, right? Of course I am right.
I sleep peacefully that night knowing my father would never do such a thing. Thrain's questions leave my mind.