"I can't accept it! I simply cannot."
"And if I insist upon it?"
Nola sighed and observed the jewel that dangled before her; held just above her head, she took it delicately between her fingers.
"It reminds me or your eyes," Thorin explained as he lowered it, and was relieved she took it fully into her open palm.
"You've done much for us already," Nola softly protested, "I feel like I'm taking advantage of your kindness."
Thorin smiled softly; something, Nola secretly confessed, caused her heart to flutter.
"You have taken no advantage," the exiled king pointed out, and then he hesitated.
"Do you think I give this to you…to exploit you?"
Nola's cheeks burned; obviously the young king had heard of the rumors pertaining to his womanizing behavior.
"No," Nola said, a brief smile dancing nervously on her lips, "I just…it's rather expensive looking."
Thorin frowned; "I've more than enough to pay for twenty of those," He said coolly.
"That's not what I meant," Nola pointed out, "I just…don't think I'm worth it."
Thorin's hard expression softened and he watched as Nola set herself to the task of tying the necklace about her neck.
"Here," Thorin offered, "Let me."
He maneuvered his way around Nola and tied a secure knot while Nola twiddled with the pendant nervously; it did not surprise when Thorin moved her hair away and placed a gentle kiss on the nape of her neck.
"Thank You," She whispered as she turned to face him, her hands clasping behind Thorin's own neck while his strong hands held her waist.
"I think your worth it," He muttered quickly, and pressed his lips firmly against Nola's.
Forgetting her grief and feeling as though the earth below her had given away, Nola gave herself fully to the kings embrace.
Until she heard the lamenting cries in the distance.
Jumping apart, the two of them listened until Nola's hand clapped over her mouth in shock. Looking desperately at Thorin she gasped: "It's Bofur!"
Ignoring Thorin's protest, Nola broke into a run in the direction where her brother wailed.
"Bofur! Bofur where are you?" She cried as Thorin struggled to keep up with her. It wasn't until she caught sight of the decaying wooden fence, that Nola realized Bofur's cries came from the cemetery and she had a good idea where He was; mourning so deeply.
"Nola! Be careful!" Thorin urged as he helped her clamber over the fence, "and wait up will you?"
Ignoring him, desperate to find and help her eldest brother, Nola dashed between rows of the dead until she finally caught sight of him in the distance.
Bofur was down upon his knees cradling something, or rather someone in his lap; weeping and wailing hysterically.
"Oh…" Nola gasped, tears burning at her eyes, when she spied familiar boots upon the feet of the one Bofur held closely.
"No! No, no, no! Please!" She pleaded and though she began to make her way, Thorin caught her elbow roughly and pulled her back.
"Let me go," He said, "I bid you stay here."
"But Thorin~"
"Wait here!"
Nola, tears running down her cheeks, stared into the hard yet concerned glare of the dwarf king before giving an unsteady nod in compliance.
When Thorin approached Bofur, he knelt slowly; his large hand squeezing Bofur's shoulder and the two of them began to talk.
As she waited Nola looked into the distance at the two of them and then to the tree just to the left of them and she spotted the bit of cut rope.
It did not take her more than a minute to realize, with utter devastation, who it truly was Bofur clung to, and exactly what He had done.
Bofur, at Thorin's urging, had calmed himself and with the kings helping hands, staggered to his feet. Leaving the body behind as they began their slow trek back to where Nola waited.
Nola wanted nothing more than to be wrong as she looked at the body left behind, and then back at the two of them as they came within inches of her.
"Sis," Bofur started, but choked on a sob, He only took her tightly into his arms and while Thorin watched, the sibling wept deeply together as the sun dipped out of sight in the distance.
