Chapter 4

We Must Away

"Will you tell me?"

I looked at him in surprise.

"What?"

"Will you tell me….tell me why people were cruel to you. I see nothing wrong with you."

I nodded slowly.

"There is no one else where I come from with eyes like mine. And if that were not enough add my ears. Everyone found me an easy target to make fun of. They would say my mother was a runaway who got knocked up….er…I mean who got pregnant too young and never married. Eventually I stopped listening to them. But I never had any friends." I said.

Fili's POV

I wanted to hold her. I wanted to kiss her. This beautiful woman who never knew the love of another. Half-elf or not…..she was different and special.

"Come with us." I said.

She looked at me.

"Come with us to Erebor." I repeated.

"Your uncle would never agree to that."

"I care not." I took her hand and she did not pulled away. "I want you to come with us. That is if you are willing." I said.

Please come with us! Please come with me!

She looked at me sadly.

"I cannot. I like you Fili, I do, but I do better on my own. And I do not wish to cause problems."

I smiled sadly and she put her arms around me. I hesitated and then hugged her.

"Thank you Fili. For everything." She pulled away and smiled. "And I would prefer it if you simply called me Estelwen."

I grinned and nodded.

"Very well…Estelwen."

Estelwen's POV

I wanted to kiss him. I really did. I liked Fili, I liked him a lot. I did not notice I was staring at his lips before he started to lean forward. Slowly, I leaned towards him. His hand brushed my hair behind my ear and pulled my face closer to his. I could smell his sweet scent. I could not really describe it. I closed my eyes and finally his lips were on mine in a sweet kiss. When I realized what I was doing I jumped back a little.

"I am sorry." he said.

I shook my head.

"No I…I should never have…well…."

He nodded and we both looked away from each other. When I found the courage to look at him, I found myself staring at his beard. It was braided at the corners of his mouth and there were silver clasps in it. He looked at me and raised his eyebrows.

"Sorry, they are very interesting. I have never seen anyone with beards such as yours or the others."

"Dwarves have unique beards."

"So I see." I laughed.

He looked up at the sky.

"We should really be going back. You need some rest and so do I." He said.

I nodded and we climbed down. He opened the door and let me go in before him.

At least chivalry has not died here.

Fili took my hand and I smiled at him. We walked into the living room where the other dwarves were already asleep. Fili and I lay down, though far enough away from each other to where no one would suspect anything. He held onto my hand as I drifted off to sleep.

When I woke up Fili's hand was no longer in mine. I frowned at that, but I knew he was trying to avoid Thorin's wrath. I sat up and found everyone was gone. Even Gandalf. I knew this should not have surprised me, but I was alone again. I did not want to be alone. I found a piece of paper lying beside me. I was curious so I opened it.

Estelwen,

I know you said you did not wish to come with us…..and I respect your choice. I wish I could have persuaded you though. You are different from any elf or half-elf I have ever heard of. And since I may never see you again…I will admit I enjoyed that kiss.

My uncle left you a letter of apology, he felt bad for saying what he did. I shall not lie, this quest I go on is a dangerous one, but I am glad to have met you. I hope that I might see you again, but if I do not, it was an honor to meet you Estelwen Caladhiel Rogers daughter of Adonnenniel. Farwell.

Fili son of Dis

I was staring at the letter. I read it and re-read it several times. I looked all over the room until I found Thorin's letter. I opened it and the first thing that caught my eye was his handwriting. It was quite elegant.

Lady Estelwen,

I wish to apologize for the way I spoke the previous evening. I was rude and spoke of what I do not know. For the loss of your mother the Lady Adonnenniel I am truly sorry. I shall be honest with you, I too lost my mother when I was young. Well that being said, I wish you luck on your quest to find your father and brother. And should we meet again, I hope it might be on friendly terms.

Thorin Oakenshield

I had not expected any sort of apology from Thorin. Never the less I was grateful that he had. I now had a choice to make. I could go off on my own and try to find my father and brother….or I could go after Fili and stay with him and his people. And perhaps find my father and brother along the way. I read Fili's letter again and then smiled.

"Well then….I must away."