Chapter 10
It was nearly dawn and Fili was on last watch. Thorin had insisted on watches despite being in Rivendell. His whole watch had been quiet and he was looking forward to seeing the sun come up. The fire in the fireplace had died down to embers and the room was cool. Fili was sitting on a balustrade with his back against a pillar. His swords were propped up by the fireplace but he had quite a few knives on his person just in case.
His first warning of trouble was a noise from the door. Someone was forcefully turning the door handles and shaking the set of double doors. He peered around the pillar he was leaning against and was shocked to see that it was Aleiki trying to get out rather than anyone trying to get in.
"What are you doing?" Fili asked in confusion, "You should be resting". He was surprised Aleiki had managed to leave her bedroom without Dwalin hearing her leaving it or him hearing her enter the main room.
"It's too hot in here. I need to go outside," Aleiki declared and then asked with confusion, "Where's mother?"
Fili couldn't see her face yet but was at Aleiki's side now pulling her hands away from the door handles. Her hands were cold and clammy and he knew something was wrong. He turned her round to look at him and he raised a hand to her forehead. It also was icy cold. Her eyes were almost black.
"Where's mother?" She asked again more forcefully this time before slumping slightly in his arms, "Where are we Fili? Where's my mother?" Aleiki was looking around the room wildly and clearly not liking what she was seeing, "Are there elves here? Where's my mother. We need to leave. The dark man wants us to leave!" She turned back to the doors trying to get out of the room.
Fili grabbed her hands again and pulled her to him to stop her struggling. Aleiki hands went to her hips, clearly searching for her long knives. Fili dragged her to the nearest bedroom door and kicked it loudly with his foot, "I need some help out here, uncle, NOW!"
Aleiki's back was held tightly to his chest and he was struggling to hold her flailing hands. She was bucking in his arms now desperately trying to get free. She slammed them both backwards into the wall, "LET...ME...GO. I need to get out of here. I need to find, mother". She slammed her head back desperately right into his nose.
Fili dropped her like a stone and Aleiki ran for the door again but before she could get there Thorin was suddenly there and grabbing her instead, "Get Oin now". The order was quickly given and Fili obeyed without question.
"Let me go. I have to find my mother. There are elves here." She struggled against him.
Frerin appeared in the bedroom doorway, taking in the scene before him, "Give her here". Thorin stared at him for a moment before passing the little nymph to his brother. Frerin wrapped his arms around her tightly and pulled her over to the fireplace to try and warm Aleiki up before whispering words of comfort into her ear "Calm down, Izril. You're safe with us".
Aleiki calmed down slightly but was still not happy, "Where's my mother? I can't hear her. They're all gone". She was looking at Frerin in confusion, "Frerin, where are we? We should leave here. Please leave with me now. There are elves here. They'll kill us! Where are my knives?" Aleiki was starting to get worked up again.
Fili finally arrived with Oin in tow. Oin quickly went to his patient and was in front of them then, "Keep her still for me" and blew some powder into Aleiki's face, "This will calm her down". Aleiki coughed and inhaled the powder. Oin took a step back away from her.
Aleiki glared at Oin, "You're helping the elves to kill me. He said you would". Aleiki threw her self forward at Oin pulling herself free from the Prince. Before she could hurt him, Aleiki was grabbed again. This time by Dwalin who dragged her back and away from Oin.
She struggled in Dwalin's arms for a few more seconds before slumping in his arms, "What is wrong with her?"
"I can only presume Aleiki's body is processing whatever drug she was given," Oin stated. He reached up to feel her forehead, "She's not got a fever but appears to be hallucinating. Let me look at the wound on her back". Thorin, Balin and Fili stood back to give Aleiki a bit of privacy. He pulled down the top of the tunic Aleiki was wearing to see the marks carved into her back. He put his hand to them as he had the previous night. It was still hot but not burning hot as it had been the previous night. "I think we'll just have to wait it out until the drug wears off. Get the fire going and get her a blanket. We need to have someone with her at all times".
Dwalin wordlessly passed her to Frerin who sat down in one of the sofas near the fire and pulled a nearby blanket over them. Thorin set to work getting the fire going. Aleiki was awake and conscious but very still but still muttering quietly about murderous elves, her mother and that they needed to leave.
It was several hours before Aleiki started to come out of her drug induced haze and before the world began to make sense again. Suddenly to her surprise she could hear her kin in her mind again. The initial return to normal made her jerk slightly in the Prince's arms but she relaxed quickly when she realized what had happened.
"You can hear me again daughter? We have been worried for you," the relief in the voice was clear, "But you are back with us now and healing".
Aleiki looked up in to Frerin's face trying to gage his mood. He didn't look angry with her for once just concerned for her. He didn't seem to realise she was properly awake and aware again.
"Aleiki, you should stop worrying about his affection for you. It is of no consequence! You need to get him to seed you. Seduce him now whilst the others are gone," the mother queen stated with calm authority, "The Prince is starting to bring corruption into your heart. Remember, they treat their females like dogs! Don't let him worm his way into your heart. You must remember the rituals if you wish to return to us".
The hive mind returned to background noise in Aleiki's head. The sense of peace, security and strength returned to her. She felt stable without the painful sense of being lost and abandoned.
She realized she was laying in the Prince's arms on a sofa in front of a fireplace. Her heart started to beat wildly when she suddenly realized they were still in the Elven kingdom of Rivendell. The thought of being near the elves made her feel sick to her stomach and she groaned slightly. Frerin looked down at her and smiled at her.
She remembered what the Mother Queen had said to her. She would not allow them to charm her into giving up her freedom. She was a warrior! Frerin's feelings weren't of consequence. Mother Queen had reminded her where her loyalties lay. The Prince's actions following the defeat of the trolls clearly showed her how little faith he had in abilities to protect herself and the party. She suppressed all thought of how gentle he'd been after the orcs. She had to fulfill her part in the plan. The Prince needed to seed her.
Aleiki raised her head and looked around trying to see where she was and with whom. She couldn't see anyone except Frerin. She smiled brightly up at the Prince and asked softly, "Where is everyone?"
"You just missed them. It's lunchtime so they've gone to the dining halls for lunch", Frerin confirmed.
Aleiki sat up slowly still feeling slightly woozy, "So we are alone?" She turned to him now her smile turning slightly wicked, "In private? There is no-one here to offend?"
Frerin choked suddenly as the look on Aleiki's face changed from half asleep to predatory faster than he could blink. Before he could answer Aleiki raised her lips to within inches of his, "Maybe I should repeat the question I asked Fili." She ran her finger down his chest slowly, "Do you want to make love to me?"
Frerin swallowed nervously. He was supposed to be courting Aleiki traditionally, "I've wanted to make love to you since the moment I first saw you".
At that Aleiki moved her hand up to cup his face and ran her thumb along his lower lip before bringing her lips up to his in a kiss. Frerin groaned and gently pulled her body closer to his. Aleiki smiled into his mouth as she wrestled with his tongue not allowing him to dominate the kiss. Her hands were suddenly under Frerin's tunic. She ran her hands up and down his sides and across his back. She started to rub her body slowly against his and turned the attention of her kisses to his neck.
Aleiki noticed suddenly that the Prince seemed slightly nervous of touching her. Was he frightened of making her slight injuries worse? She bit where Frerin's shoulder met his neck to get his attention, licking the area to reduce the pain for him. He moaned but stilled allowing her to capture his hands and bring them to her breasts. Aleiki tried to return her attention to the dwarf's neck but suddenly Frerin seemed to wake up and she was distracted by him taking her nipple in his fingers through the tunic she was wearing and twisting. She keened loudly. She didn't remember that from the memories shown to her or any of the lessons so she would know what to expect.
What had been a gentle build up of longing in her belly turned more demanding. Aleiki arched her back bringing her breasts more firmly into his hands. It was Frerin's turn to grin, "Did you like that?" He did it again and now Aleiki forgot what she had been doing and just concentrated on the feelings he was eliciting in her.
The gentle rubbing against Frerin turned rougher and now Aleiki could feel a need building within her. She could feel her body making its needs known. It wanted to be seeded. Frerin had triggered it and now she couldn't control the seeding instincts of a nymph queen. Her mother had told her that they would come but Aleiki had always had her doubts. She was only a part queen - just enough to allow her to spawn.
She could feel herself slipping into mindless need. She hadn't thought it would happen so effortlessly. She could feel the mating pheromones release from her body. After that Frerin seemed to take over. His hands were everywhere - rubbing, caressing and tweaking whilst she moaned and keened. Every need she had he fulfilled. Then he was entering her, bringing a few moments of pain within the pleasure and finally came the seeding. Her body sucked in the seed for use now and later. However, all Aleiki could concentrate on was the waves of pleasure that were shooting through her as the world seemed to stop.
She was wrapped tightly in Frerin's arms when the uncontrollable need to be be seeded receded and conscious thought returned to her mind. She reached up and kissed him slowly. She was unsure of his expression again, "I... I...hadn't expected it to be like that," Aleiki admitted. She shrugged not really sure how to describe how loved she had felt.
Frerin smiled widely now. He'd never had complaints before but he'd never made love to his one before. He knew Aleiki knew about sex but he'd never expected her to be quite such a combination of innocence and experience. Aleiki was unique and he loved her for that.
"I need to bathe before the others return," Aleiki smiled at him, "You could join me?"
Frerin sighed, "They'll be back soon"
Aleiki reached up and thoroughly kissed him before running to the bathroom to clean her self up. She heard the main door opening as she shut the bathroom door. She stripped off Kili's tunic and was in the bath in moments. A few minutes later the door opened and some new clothes were left for her.
After wallowing in the hot water for at least an hour she grabbed one of the towels before heading over to one of the mirrors to see for the first time the state of her hair. It was short but many of her warrior kin wore it shorter. She spent the next 15 minutes getting it sorted. It was now almost shaved in front of her ears and she waxed the remainder of her golden hair into soft spikes. With her high cheekbones and heart-shaped face, the style made her look younger than ever.
She now moved over to the clothes left for her. It was a dress. She'd prefer to be naked than wear a dress in front of an elf! Warrior-born did not wear dresses ever! Aleiki walked over to where her trousers had been washed and were hanging on a washing line. They were dry as was her corselet. She put them on and made for the mirror again. She was in a city of elves. She looked at the chiffon like appearance of what appeared to be an under dress. It was a deep Durin blue and the elves probably thought they were being helpful in giving her something. She pulled out her knife and cut everything off the dress from the waist down. She put that on and then looked at the main dress with its black bodice. She cut off all of the fabric in the skirt and sleeves except for the black bodice. Aleiki pulled it in around her and laced it tightly up the front and once again looked in the mirror. She grinned as she didn't look too bad.
Her outfit now consisted of low waisted black leather trousers with black over the knee leather boots with shiny silver buckles. She tied some of the blue chiffon fabric to her boots buckles like ribbons and tucked her knives into the top of her boots. Her arms were covered from just below the shoulders by the see through Durin blue chiffon and her torso by a black bodice. Her shoulders and décolletage were completely uncovered.
She could feel the pleasure her actions were giving her kin in her mind. Now she just needed to find her arm guards and claws. She would not exit into a nest of vipers unarmed. They must be in her room.
She exited the bathroom and strolled across to the bedroom of the Fundins. She strapped the guards on carefully. She knew she wouldn't get away with wearing her falcatum so she left them in the room before heading back out into the main hall.
"The bathroom is free if any of you wish to use it" Aleiki stated calmly taking in the looks the dwarrow were giving her. Frerin looked particularly amazed by her outfit. She smiled and walked over to him giving him a quick possessive kiss.
Balin looked like he was struggling with his words, "Did you not like the dress lass?"
"Where did you get it?" Aleiki frowned at him, "Is it dwarrow or elven?"
"Lord Elrond sent it for you" Dwalin replied.
Aleiki spat on the floor and walked over to the fireplace and shoved the remaining fabric into the fire. She turned back to them, "It is an insult to me and my kin". She stared around the group, "No warrior of Anlashocc would disgrace themselves by wearing such an outfit". She turned to Thorin, "The Queens would not be happy if I were to wear it. Warrior born do not wear dresses ever! Dresses are for queens only".
The dwarrow turned to Thorin to see how he would react to Aleiki's statement. To their surprise he laughed, "You can wear what you want. However, I don't think the elves sent it to purposely insult you"
"Never trust an elf,"Aleiki grinned at Thorin amused by his unexpected reaction, "Except maybe the blonde one who brought me here. He slew a Balrog. You can't ignore that!"
"Aleiki you will need to explain to me what the elves and the men did to your people to make you so angry with them" Thorin studied her carefully, "I need to understand"
Aleiki blanched slightly but nodded anyway.
Thorin looked over to his brother, "But now we have an invitation to attend Lord Glorfindel in the Hall of Fire. "Frerin, maybe you should take the lady's hand and follow me".
Thorin headed for the door with his brother, nephews, the sons of Fundin and of course Aleiki. The rest of the company were already getting on with their plans for the afternoon. Dori in particular had taken it upon himself to fix Aleiki's actual clothes and armor. Bilbo had gone to the library with Ori.
Thorin entered the hall and looked around to see if Lord Glorfindel was there. He was sitting at a table on the far side of the room with a few other elves. He strolled over to him fully aware of the gasps of shock coming from the elves as they got a clear view of their little nymph.
As soon as the Elven Lord saw them he stood to greet them, struggling not to laugh at the reaction of his fellow elves. So few of them remembered the nymphs from before the feud started. Seeing Glorfindel's reaction his companions Lord Elrond and his son Elrohir turned in their seats to see what was causing the commotion. The both instantly stood acknowledging the dwarrow but waiting expectantly when the nymph came forward. There had been no introduction at their first meeting. Aleiki was deeply uncomfortable being near elves but she wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of knowing that.
Elrond could see the dress he had sent had been restyled significantly. However, Elrond, ever the diplomat, simply bowed his head to the nymph and smiling kindly, "You look better, my lady. Maybe today you feel up to introducing yourself to us?"
At this Thorin stepped forward, "Let me introduce you to our companion, my Lord. May I present, the Lady Warrior Aleiki, youngest and most beloved daughter of the Mother Queen of the nymphs of Anlashocc". Thorin looked around at the elves before continuing with a smile, "The only daughter of Prince Borin, son of Nain II, adopted daughter of the house of Fundin and beloved of Prince Frerin, son of Thror, son of Thrain Prince of the house of Durin".
Aleiki smiled brightly and bowed her head minutely to the elven Lord, "A pleasure to meet you again, Lord Elrond, Lord Glorfindel and Lord Elrohir".
Elrohir moved to take Aleiki's hand in the traditional greeting to a Lady. The nymph snatched her hand away and put it behind her back and pouted, "I'm sorry my Lord Elrohir but I try to avoid touching elves. I wouldn't want to be accused of molesting you...especially with you being so pretty and all". Aleiki looked around the room. The younger elves in the room were confused. The older ones seemed mostly neutral with regards to her but she could see one or two angry elves glaring at her, "I wouldn't want to hurt you by mistake".
Lord Elrohir withdrew slightly disappointed but nodded his head in acceptance. The group went silent with no one able to think of anything to start the next conversation.
Aleiki looked around the room spotting drinks on the table. She realized that she couldn't remember the last time she'd had a drink, "Is that wine?" She was curious, "The wine in Bree was really nice but it was honey colored".
Elrond looked at Aleiki curiously, "This is wine and it's made from red grapes instead of green ones. Would you like to try some?"
"Yes please. I'm thirsty" Aleiki sat down at the table not waiting for an invitation.
Glorfindel eyed her carefully, "It's quite strong. Are you sure you wouldn't like something lighter? I didn't think nymphs reacted well to alcohol". He glanced at Elrond in concern.
"I don't like ale! It's disgusting" Aleiki decided, "What's alcohol?" The curiosity was clear in her voice.
The dwarrow and elves exchanged glances before Balin spoke, "Our sister should probably have a small glass only"
Glorfindel poured the drink and passed it to Aleiki who sniffed it carefully before swallowing it in one go, "I like it". She smiled at the elves.
Balin frowned at her, "You're supposed to sip it Aleiki"
"Oh... Why?" Aleiki asked in confusion but before anyone could answer she asked another question, "Did you kill all of the orcs yesterday?" Aleiki addressed the elves.
"No, some fled. We were impressed by how many you took down before the orcs captured you". Elrohir joined the conversation with no small amount of awe in his tone.
The dwarrow all now stared at the nymph but Aleiki was not going to accept the compliment, "I am a disgrace to my kin allowing myself to be taken captive. I should have killed myself first". She almost spat the words at the elves in disgust. Aleiki wanted to add that her disgrace was increased by the fact that she had been saved by elves but she managed to keep those thoughts to herself not willing to offend her hosts in case she upset the dwarrow.
"Why were the orcs bigger than the ones near Ered Luin?" Aleiki queried now, "Those were much easier to kill and they had no wargs either".
This question really got the attention of the dwarrow, "You killed orcs near Ered Luin?" Thorin queried sharply.
"A small pack of ten surprised me a few hours before I reached the settlement. It was why I arrived at night and surprised your guard", Aleiki confirmed quietly, "They were much smaller than the ones yesterday".
"But you killed all ten?" Frerin interrupted in alarm, "On your own?"
"They attacked me!" Aleiki looked around in confusion, "Was I not supposed to?" She looked around the group and suddenly realized what they were inferring, "You still doubt my abilities to defend myself". She looked disappointed in them all but persisted in her query, "So...why were the ones yesterday bigger?"
"They were orcs from Gundabad. They are an older and a larger breed" Glorfindel informed her, "Why they would come so far for your company I don't know?"
Thorin spoke in gruff tones, "Orcs have always sought to destroy the line of Durin. This is nothing new".
"And how did you come to have a nymph with you?" Glorfindel asked curiously studying the dwarrow and nymph in front of him carefully. The nymph was much politer today now that she was feeling less threatened.
"We are presenting Fili and Kili to their kin now they've come of age," Aleiki smiled brightly using the same lie she'd used in Bree, "Mother Queen sent me to the King to learn more of our allies and I was asked to come along with them".
"And where are you heading?" Lord Elrond asked suspiciously.
"The Copper Hills" Aleiki gave her most vacant smile knowing once again not to speak of Smaug "I got to ride on a real pony. It's been really exciting and there were trolls too".
Balin rolled his eyes going along with the nymph's lies, "The Iron Hills not the Copper Hills"
Aleiki smirked back at him, " Whatever, hills are hills. I'm just along for the scenery and stuff nothing else". Then she just couldn't resist, "Nothing perverted or deviant is happening between the dwarrow and me". She looked at the elves and could see their eyes start to narrow, "In case you were worried? They seemed worried in Bree... Not quite sure why they were worried...the Sons of Durin are not deviants or perverts so please don't think that!" Aleiki looked around the group, "No fun is being had!"
The whole group was staring at her now and then the elves were staring at the dwarrow in query not quite knowing what to say to that statement. Thorin was rolling his eyes.
However, it was Glorfindel who noticed Aleiki was now staring at the fruit bowl in the centre of the table hungrily completely ignoring the stares of the others, "Would you like some fruit?" He put the fruit bowl right in front of her.
"Yes thank you". She grabbed an apple quickly and began to devour it hungrily.
Frerin considered this statement and guiltily tried to remember when he'd last seen his little jewel eat anything. He should have thought of this sooner, "When did you last eat?"
Aleiki stopped to consider the question and after a few seconds calculation, "The lunchtime before we met the trolls"
"But that was over two days ago", Dwalin spoke with concern, "Why didn't you say anything?" All of the dwarrow and elves once again had her full attention.
"I assumed I hadn't earned my food as none was offered. Besides I've gone much longer without food," Aleiki looked at their concerned faces. Whilst she was hungry, it wasn't incapacitating.
Balin asked sharply, "How much longer?"
Aleiki absentmindedly answered as she tried to decide between another apple or one of the pears, "I went three days without food when I was trying to catch up with you in the Shire". She chose a pear.
"And that is the longest you've gone without food?" Balin asked again when she didn't quite answer his question. It was always so frustrating trying to get a straight answer out of her. You really had to pay attention to how she worded her statements and not get distracted. He knew they needed to learn about her earlier life on the island. It was key to getting her to stay with them.
"Six days," Aleiki almost whispered, "But it was many years ago so there is no need to worry for me". Aleiki clearly remembered the time and she had got to the point of begging, "Besides I had water to drink to fill my belly".
"How old were you lassie?" Dwalin asked softly. Frerin wanted to wrap Aleiki in his arms until the look of devastation left her face but he knew this conversation was best left to Aleiki's brothers. However, whilst she was telling them not to worry, her body language and expressions were telling a completely different story.
"Thirteen. It was before I became a warrior. They don't expect a warrior to fight on an empty belly without a very good reason", Aleiki spoke so quietly that the others around the table could barely hear. She knew she needed to head off any more questions before some of her most humiliating memories were exposed to a bunch of males.
Unfortunately, Balin was like a dog with a bone, "And what did you do to be starved for six days?"
"I refused to participate in an educational lesson as required," Aleiki's face started to burn remembering and she mumbled, "But this is not the appropriate time to speak of it brother". She was staring at her feet and willing him to drop it.
But Balin knew that if he didn't find out now Aleiki would avoid the topic for ever. She was far to good at not answering questions if she was given time to think up excuses, "What type of educational lesson did you refuse to participate in?"
"Not one that you would wish me to discuss in public and here," Aleiki stated through gritted teeth.
Balin's eyes widened at that statement. His mind brought up all sorts of scenarios but he was not willing to drop this, "If that is the case we will discuss it outside instead". He glanced across at his brother and indicated for him to follow them, "Please excuse us". Frerin also made to rise but Thorin shook his head and he slumped down again. He desperately wanted to know what had happened to his one.
Balin led Aleiki towards the door and Dwalin followed. Thorin waited until they exited before addressing the golden-haired elf, "So what can you tell us about nymphs?" He turned to the elves and waited.