Ariana put aside her tea and took it from him. She slid her finger under the flap and broke the wax seal, then removed the parchment from its envelope. Unfolding it carefully, she began to read.
[From Of Silver and Gold, 'Bilbo's Return']
-x-
Thorin sat in his quarters, an inkpot and some parchment borrowed from Ori sat in front of him, a quill perched in his hand. He stared at the offending paper uneasily. Slowly, he began to write.
-x-
Ariana,
It has been some time since we met, and I hope that you have not yet forgotten me – I have not forgotten you. In truth, you have been on my mind over many nights and you have helped me keep my sanity in the Quest for my Kingdom. If you wish to know the outcome, I am pleased to say that I have reclaimed it, and while the task to rebuild it is arduous, yet again you come to my aid in staying sound of mind.
But having mere thoughts of you is not what I wish for, and this is why I write this letter.
I ask you, in the hopes you will say yes, to come to Erebor. I should like to see your face once more, and this time come to know you a little better. Our last meeting was far too brief and I would like to remedy that.
I shall keep this letter short, for my time is running low. I have a Kingdom to restore.
I remain hopeful that our paths will meet again.
Thorin
-x-
He read the letter over, and nodded to himself. He folded up the parchment and placed it in an envelope before sealing it with deep blue wax. Thorin resolved himself to deliver it to Bilbo lest he lose his courage.
Like he had the previous seven times.