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Note: Italics=thoughts, Bold =Faye language.
Thorin awoke hours later with a weight on his chest. He opened his eyes looking around the room as what happened slowly came back to him. He looked down to see Lirielle asleep peacefully on his chest. He could not help himself but kiss the top of her head. He slowly gently, as he could, placed her head on a pillow. He sat up, reached down pulling on his blue tunic. Moments later, Lirielle hands her wrapped around his middle causing him to sigh. Her nude body was press flush against his back. He took her from his chest kissing the top of it. He knew she could not continue this quest.
"You are not coming with us," Thorin told her.
"Yes I am," Lirielle argued.
Thorin turned and looked at her. She moved away from him. She had slight limp as she moved. She pulled on a tunic and her small clothes before pulling on her pants. She was not the least bit afraid of him. There was a hurt look in her eyes that he even suggested it. Thorin rose from the bed making his way over to her. He kissed her softly.
"Hammer and Stone I'm trying to protect you 'ibinê (my gem)," Thorin growled at her.
"I don't need your protection. I never asked for it. I agreed to go on this quest knowing it could cost me my life. Mahul and Valor have a funny sense of humor it seems. They place the only person who ever tempted me on the same quest as their leader. A king a match for a queen…" Lirielle trailed off. She looked in his eyes he saw a loving fire in her eyes. He knew he could not leave her here but he knew it was for the best. Once Erebor was claimed he would send for her to be his queen. He weaved courting braids in her hair not wanting any of others to touch her. "I want to help you give you back your home Melhekhul (My King)," Lirielle told him.
"Staying here in your home will be safer. You were injured I cannot let you go, knowing you can be hurt. You need to stay here in your home," Thorin tried.
"My home," Lirielle laughed for a moment. Her peridot eyes met Thorin's eyes. He did not see what was funny. She had fiery look in her eyes returned to her eyes. He knew that she would not stay here without a fight. "My home is near Erebor. Just beyond the lands of Dol Guldor; if you want me to go home I will," Lirielle told him.
Thorin thought about what she said for a moment. That was not what he wanted to hear. If she did not come with them, she would head to her home on her own. That was not going to happen the dangers she would face alone.
"Mizimelûh (my jewel of jewels) you are not going make this easy are you," Thorin muttered resting his forehead against her.
"I love you," Lirielle told him and kiss him softly.
Thorin returned the kiss. He did not know what she said to him. But he knew it was something special by the look in her peridot-colored eyes. He smiled into the kiss. They pulled apart. They quick dressed for the rest of the day. Thorin looked back to the floor where her elvish crown laid. He leaned down to pick it up. She moved over to him touching his shoulder. He looked at her.
"Leave it, if I want a crown I have one. I may a vow long ago that I would place it back on until I felt I was worthy of it. Lord Elrond feels that I need an elvish one because I was raised here and he did not want me to forget what I am," Lirielle told him. Thorin picked it up, all the same, he placed it on her bed. His eyes traveled to her. She took the crown opening a chest at the end of her bed. She looked at him for a moment. She placed crown back in the box. "Now the real question is how do you want to present ourselves at dinner," Lirielle asked.
"What do you mean, 'ibinê," Thorin asked the braids in her hair were enough to prove what meant to him.
"Do we enter alone or together," Lirielle asked.
"You are not leaving my side now," Thorin growled at her.
"As you wish my love," Lirielle replied.
"You will tell me what that means," Thorin demanded.
"In time, I will tell you this it's the Faye language. I know how you hate me speaking elvish," Lirielle said.
Thorin and Lirielle entered the dining hall arm and arm. Her braids were proudly on display. Fili was one of the first to notice them. He hit Kili who also went wide-eyed. They both spotted the bead in her Lirielle hair. Fili and Kili moved over to the pair. They greeted Thorin first before pulling Lirielle into their arms.
"Does this mean with can call you Auntie," Kili and Fili asked with laughter in her voice.
Lirielle looked over to Thorin with a question in her eyes. She knew that braids meant many things in dwarves cultures. But Kili had braided her hair and none of the other made any moves that they were in a relationship. Her hand went to her braids. Thorin still her hand giving his nephews a hard look and slap up a side each their heads.
"What she has your bead in her hair, in a courting braid never the less," Fili replied.
"Courting," Lirielle asked.
"Yes courting," Thorin replied.
"You want to marry me," Lirielle asked shocked.
"Is that a problem," Thorin asked her.
"No," Lirielle said uncertainly.
"Good, 'ibinê," Thorin told her before he fixed his nephew with a glare.
Lirielle was coming around to the idea of having a family again. And a real home, not some place that she called her home knowing she likely would never return to it. For the longest time, the wilds of Middle-earth had been her home. The other dwarves approached them. Ori looked at her. She woke from her thought of home. She smiled at Ori.
"You are a good shot," Ori told her.
"I really not half time I cannot hit a target. The only time I am good is when my temper has the best of me," Lirielle confessed.
"And she humble to boot," Dori laughed.
"She'll make a fine queen of Erebor and queen under the mountain," Nori laughed hitting her on the back.
"Excuse me," Lirielle said.
Her eyes met Balin's and Dwalin's eyes as the rest of dwarves embraced her. She made her way over to the brothers. Thorin was talking with Fili and Kili and accepting the rest of the company words of congratulations on finding his one.
"Master Balin, Master Dwalin," Lirielle greeted.
"Tell me lass do you care for him, I will not hesitate to defend him. He has lost too much to be played by a lass," Dwalin said softly.
"I love him. I am glad that he has you to defend him so even if he would not be happy with you doing so," Lirielle confessed.
"Does he know," Balin asked.
"Know what brother," Dwalin asked.
"He does, Master Dwalin I am a queen in my own right," Lirielle told them.
"A queen, oh the seven dwarves kingdoms will not know what hit them," Dwalin laughed putting his arm around her shoulders.
"Will they not accept me," Lirielle questioned.
"They will respect Thorin's decision do not fear that," Balin told her.
Lirielle eyes found Bilbo. She made her way over to him. He looked up at her. She sat down near him.
"Any more question Bilbo," Lirielle questioned
"Too many but the one weighing on me is if you were raised here why did you leave it," Bilbo asked.
"I can be dangerous," Lirielle said.
"Dangerous," Bilbo laughed fearfully.
Thorin placed his hands on her shoulders. She looked up at him. She gave him a small smile. He gave her a small smiled but eyed Bilbo with contempt. She got up linking arms with Thorin. She knew that Lord Elrond would want with Gandalf and Thorin. She was like a second daughter to him.
Thorin guided her over to a table overlooking the falls that night as dinner was about to start. She sat down next to him. Her hand rested on his leg. He looked over to her moving a stray curl from her face. She smiled at him.
"It will be alright my love," Lirielle told him giving his leg a squeeze.
"Try it just a mouthful," Dori told Ori who was holding a piece of romaine.
"I don't like green food," Ori told him.
"Where's the meat," Dwalin asked looking through is a salad.
"Have you got any chips," Ori asked.
Bilbo was sat near Balin. He looked over to the other table where Lirielle and Thorin were conversing alone. It looked like Lirielle was trying to calm Thorin down. His mind was trying to figure out how Lirielle was dangerous.
"Kind of you to invite us, not really dressed for dinner," Gandalf told Lord Elrond as they entered.
"Well, you never are," Lord Elrond said near laughter.
Lord Elrond looked shocked a brief moment to Lirielle sitting so close to Thorin. And that she had dwarvish brides in her hair. Thorin and Lirielle rose when Gandalf and Lord Elrond approached. They all stared at each other for a moment. Lirielle sat first and was quickly followed by the men around the table. Food was being served to them. Lord Elrond looked toward Thorin motion for him to show him the blade in question. Thorin handed over the blade. Lord Elrond examined it.
"This is Orcist, the goblin cleaver. A famous blade forged by the High Elves of the West, my kin. May it serve you well," Lord Elrond said handing it back to Thorin.
Thorin looked at Elrond like maybe Lirielle may be right. Not all Elves were bad. Gandalf handed Elrond the blade.
"And this is Glamdring the Foehammer sword of the king of Gondolin. These were made for the Goblin wars of the first age. " Elrond said handing Gandalf back to the blade. He looked at them for a moment pausing. "How did you come by these," Lord Elrond questioned.
"We found them in a Troll hoard on the Great East Road shortly before we were ambushed by orcs," Gandalf replied.
"And what were doing on the Great East Road?" Lord Elrond asked.
There was an uncomfortable silence. They did not want to answer. Thorin looked like his temper was about to get the best of him. Lirielle gave his leg a squeeze. It caused him to look at her. She looked between Gandalf and Lord Elrond for a moment.
"We were on our way to the Blue Mountains," Lirielle lied with ease.
"Were you now," Lord Elrond questioned not really believing her.
"Yes, now tell me how is Arwen?" Lirielle replied changing the conversation.
"Arwen will be sorry that she has missed you. You will not be staying for long," Elrond asked.
"No, you know I could never stay too long," Lirielle replied.
Lirielle stood outside in the gardens alone. Her eyes lifted to the sky. She knew she could only keep Thorin's temper in check so long. He was talking with Balin now. Most likely it was about the quest from here and how Lirielle courting him would change the dalmatics.
Fate has smiled on you Lirielle Galadriel voiced entered her mind.
"Lady Galadriel," Lirielle turned to see her. Galadriel came over to her placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. Suddenly a sense of dread filled Lirielle. "What brings you to Imladris," Lirielle asked.
You are on the quest with Thorin Oakenshield to retake The Lonely Mountain.
Yes
There will be heartache ahead but the greatest joy also and something long since lost to you if this trial is successful. Do not abandon all hope Queen Lirielle fate has smiled upon you.
"Liri, uncle asking for you," Fili called her.
"It was nice to see you Lady Galadriel," Lirielle said departing
Fili lead her to the room where Thorin, Balin, Bilbo, Gandalf, and Lord Elrond were already in. Thorin looked at his wit's end. Lirielle entered moving over to Thorin's side. Bilbo looked liked why he was here. Fili shut the door.
"Our business is no concern of Elves," Thorin raged.
"For goodness sake, Thorin show him the map," Gandalf tried.
"It is the legacy of my people. It is mine to protect as are its secrets," Thorin spat out.
"Save me from the stubbornness of dwarves. Your pride will be your downfall."Gandalf started. He looked over to Lirielle for help. " You stand in the presence of one of the few in Middle-earth who can read that map," Gandalf said.
Lirielle placed her hand on his chest. He looked over to her.
"My Love, show it to Lord Elrond," Lirielle pleaded.
Thorin thought about Lirielle plead. Lirielle removed her hands as she moved slightly to stand behind him let by his side. She gave him her advice to him but a like a true queen that is lesser than a king she would let him make his own decision. He looked over to her for a moment. Before, he made a move.
"Thorin, no" Balin tried to stop him as he reached into his coat to pull out the map.
Thorin walked up to Lord Elrond handing him the map. Lord Elrond examined the map for a time.
"Erebor, what is your interest in this map?" Lord Elrond questioned.
"It mainly academic as you know. This sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text," Gandalf started.
"You still read ancient dwarvish do you not?" Lirielle asked.
"Moon Runes," Lord Elrond said in Elvish.
"Moon Runes," Lirielle said in awe.
"Of course, an easy thing to miss," Gandalf assured looking at Bilbo.
"Well, in this case, that is true. Moon runes can only be read by the light of a moon of the same shape and season as the day on which they were written?" Lord Elrond told them.
"Can you read them?" Thorin asked him.
They lead to a platform with a shorten pillar to read such things like this. The moon was behind the clouds but would come out any time.
"These runes were written on midsummer's eve by the light a crescent moon nearly 200 years ago. It would seem you were meant to come to Rivendell. Fate is with you Thorin Oakenshield the same moon shines upon us tonight," Lord Elrond said placing the map on the pillar as the moon came out. Lirielle moved slightly to look at the map. "Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole," Lord Elrond translated.
"Durin's Day?" Bilbo questioned.
"It is the start of Dwarves New Year when the last moon of autumn and first sun of winter appears in the sky together," Gandalf explained.
"This is ill news. Summer is passing Durin's Day will soon be upon us," Thorin stated.
"We still have time," Balin reassured.
"Time for what?" Bilbo questioned.
"To find the entrance; we have to be standing in exactly the right spot at exactly the right time. Then and only then, can the door be opened," Balin explained.
"So this is your purpose to enter the mountain," Lord Elrond stated.
"What of it?" Thorin stated.
"There are some who would not deem it wise," Lord Elrond told them. Lord Elrond looked to Lirielle for a moment. She looked down being caught in her lies. They met eyes. "You know killing Smaug will not bring them back," Lord Elrond questioned her.
"I know, but it will give his home back something I cannot get back," Lirielle replied.
"What do you mean," Gandalf asked Lord Elrond ignoring the conversation between Lirielle and Lord Elrond.
Lirielle moved closer to Thorin and Balin. Lord Elrond watch how Thorin placed his arm around her middle pulling her close to him.
"You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-Earth," Lord Elrond answered exiting.
Gandalf looked over to Lirielle giving her a nod. She returned the nod. She knew what it meant. She waited until Lord Elrond and Gandalf exited.
"We need to leave now," Lirielle told them.
"Now," Balin questioned.
"The white council is here they will try to stop us," Lirielle replied.
"I will inform the others," Thorin told her.
"We must do this discreetly," Lirielle told them.