A.N. Sorry this chapter took a while! With the new season of Game of Thrones going, my mind can be a little preoccupied. Lol. Thanks for your patience!
priya24626: ^_^ Your comment made me smile like a dweeb.
UnaLouise: Thank you for reading and commenting! It means a lot, and helped me through a writing funk. :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and plot points.
"May I come in?" she spoke lowly, but confidently.
"Of course," he stepped aside, allowing her in. "It has been a long time. You are looking well," he shut the door behind her, and offered the only seat in the room besides the bed. She remained standing.
"I had hoped you would come to me," she said, clasping her hands in front of her. "Are the rumors true, then? About the human?"
As usual, she wen right to the point.
"Yes," thorin confirmed with a nod. "It seems impossible, even to me,"
Freya's face was a mask of carefully-concealed emotions. "I suppose I should have known after you did not ask me to marry you that night. To be honest, I was confused for a long time. Why, after all of our letters, would you make love to me the way you did, and not propose?"
Guilt stabbed through him at the memory. It was something he never should have done, but he had been incredibly intoxicated, and she had been so alluring. He still should have said no. Not only to save her honor, but also her heart. He opened his mouth, but she vehemently shook her head.
"I do not want your apologies. It would make me feel weak. All I want is the truth. Did you ever love me? Even a little?"
Her small show of pain moved him, but he didn't want to hurt or offend her by trying to comfort her.
"Yes," he answered. "More than a little,"
She smiled and nodded, eyes glistening. "Good. I can have that, at least. What is she like?"
"I am afraid I did not have much time to get to know her," relaxing a little, they both sat; she on the chair, while he took the bed. "But she proved herself to be brave, kind, and selfless. Not to mention incredibly stubborn," he said the last bit with a chuckle.
"Sounds like your type," Freya mused. "Was she beautiful?"
It wasn't something he had spent much time focusing on. Yes, he had been attracted to her, but he had always known it was her heart and soul he had been drawn to. Thinking about her snow, he realized just how striking she was. Honey and milk in her skin and hair, with piercing gray eyes. Her mouth was rich in color, and shaped like a blooming rose.
"She is," he answered.
With keen eyes, Freya studied him, seeming to dissect him layer by layer. It was a talent she had always possessed, and made it difficult to lie to her.
"What exactly happened?" she asked. "All that is known is that she came to save you, having seen a future where you died,"
Thorin sighed, not completely sure he wanted to divulge that tale. However, he knew ow subjective Freya could be, and it could help to talk to someone who hadn't seen him in that state. So, he started from their arrival at Erebor, and how the sickness had quickly taken him. She looked distressed by that fact, but remained silent. All through his story, she kept quiet and attentive, never showing judgment. Part of him felt guilty for telling her about his time with the woman he had fallen in love with. By the end, all she could do was sigh as he had at the beginning.
"And somehow, though all of that, you are here. How can any woman compete with that?" she gave a wry smile, and patted his hand affectionately. "I wish you all the best, and hope you are able to save her,"
She stood, and before he could stop her, closed the distance between them, and kissed him soundly on the mouth. For a moment, he was so stunned he couldn't respond. Then, she pulled back, watching his face closely. Whatever was, or was not there had her lips twitching.
"Forgive me, but I had to try one last time. I suppose this is farewell,"
Smiling, Thorin stood as well, and walked with her to the door. "Farewell for now. I hope this is not the last we will see of each other,"
"Perhaps not, but you needn't hope for another kiss; I am no one's second choice," head held high, she walked out with all the confidence of a queen.
As he closed the door, Thorin pitied the next dwarf who tried to win her heart. It was a humoring thought, and kept him in a light mood until he had finished preparing for bed. Then, the concern began to grow again. Knowing this would happen, he had requested that a harp be brought to his room. Playing was something that soothed his mind, and was the only hobby he had allowed himself to indulge in from the time he was little. Thinking of Danica, he began to sing, and a part of him wished she could hear him, and know where he was.
Every part of her ached. Her captors had kept her as weak as possible without actually killing her. In her absence, the number of men and orcs had grown, and the two sorcerers seemed even more on edge, and more desperate for her visions. Any time she seemed less-than-forthcoming, they had her beaten. What food they gave her she was sure had poppy and other sleep agents in it, because she nearly always felt half-asleep. Most of the time, she couldn't tell what was real, and what was a dream. She knew there had been a couple of times she had seen Thorin, and called out his name, but knew those were dreams without a doubt. It broke her heart every time an image of him slipped unbidden into her mind.
When she heard a harp playing, she thought she had fallen into another dream or hallucination. Thorin's face swam into view, then all of him as he began to sing. Tears stung her eyes, letting her know she was awake. The tune he sang was a like a beacon through the fog of her mind. His surroundings became clearer, and she realized she was seeing him in the present, but he didn't seem to be in Erebor. Fighting against the malaise holding her down, she tried to see exactly where he was. Though she did not recognize the dwarven fortress, she knew it was likely Iron Hills. A hope welled within her, but was nearly instantly extinguished. For all he knew, she had died in his arms. Besides, even if he did come for her, it could easily cost him his life. Concentrating harder, she tried to glimpse the future, and was shocked to see him with the wizard, Dwalin and Kili, battling their way through the snow of the mountainsā¦her mountains. Eyes flying open, she returned to her small cell, but no longer felt despondent. It would take all the willpower she had left, but she would protect this from the sorcerers, and do what she could to make their path easier. Despite herself, she smiled. He was coming for her, and there was no way in hell she would just sit idly by until he got there.
P.S. Thanks for reading! I always love getting comments and reviews. š