Bella's Journey
Chapter Ten
Bella as she was making her way back to her rooms where the dwarves were waiting with a large tray of smoked fish, when she saw Lindir step away from the wall where it looked like he had been waiting for her.
"I see the dwarves have made themselves at home in your rooms. Allow me to show you to a different set of rooms tonight."
Bella looked at Lindir with surprise when he spoke of changing rooms.
"Why would I want to change rooms? I have no worries about propriety. I have been travelling with them for weeks." She shifted the heavy tray of fish in her hands as she tried to keep it balanced in her arms.
Linder walked closer to her and raising a hand rubbed his thumb along the edge of her bottom lip, before she turned head away from his touch. His touch shocked her, for he had never been so forward to her before.
"You are so beautiful Bella, and you have no idea the effect you have on those around you. When Thorin leaves, I want you to stay here to be with me. There is no need for you to stay in the company of dwarves any longer."
Bella felt anger surge within her, at the derision in his voice when he said the word dwarf. How could she have been so blind to him she thought.
"The dwarves have been nothing but kind and gracious to me. I will not leave them to their fate", Bella replied hotly.
"Dwarves must learn to accept their fate. Their home under the mountain is gone. Even if the dwarves reclaim their home, would you want to live in some hole in the ground? You are a creature made to be in the light."
He made to touch her face again but Bella wanting to avoid his touch stepped back quickly and in doing so tripped over the hem of her gown and fell backward. Covered in bits of fish and feeling foolish, she sat on the floor brushing fallen food off herself. When, Lindir bent low to help her, she stopped him by speaking out and holding out a hand to ward him off.
"Lindir I am sorry if you felt that my time hear has drawn us close but I do not feel whatever it is you feel toward me. I only thought we could be friends."
Pushing herself up off the ground, Bella shook off the remaining bits of fish.
"Now please refrain from speaking ill of my friends."
"Friends?" he questioned and then laughing he added, "Dwarves only care for gold".
Bella saw now that he hated the dwarves and thought himself far above them. She wanted to teach him a lesson but tried to practise the calm she always envied in Galadriel.
It was at that moment that Thorin arrived. He took in the spilled fish, the angry elf and Bella on the floor with her hair messed.
"Bella what has happen?" he asked in a hard voice that demanded answers. He helped her to stand and then moved to stand between her and the elf.
"Nothing for you to concern yourself with Dwarf. Your leman was just answering my question. It has been answered so I will go, "said Lindir in a voice filled with cold disgust.
Bella noticing that Thorin looked like he was about to remove the Linder's head from his shoulders, quickly stepped around Thorin and put a hand on Thorin to keep him at bay. Turning to Lindir, again Bella spoke just as coolly in reply, in a voice that seemed to vibrate with power.
"My mother always told me to not say anything I would later regret and I would give you the same advice. Until such time that you can speak well of dwarves I would not say one word Lindir, not one word."
Lindir opened his mouth but no words fell from his lips. First surprise then a look of horror showed on his face as he put his hands around his throat and tried to first speak then yell something. When he made to grab her with his hands, Thorin intervened. Using the hilt of his sword hit Lindir on the head, in one smooth easy motion.
Bella watched as Thorin propped the unconscious elf into a shadowed corner, making it look like he had dozed off. When he was done, Bella could not help but be impressed by how quickly Thorin had acted. A few weeks ago, what had transpired tonight would have shocked her but now after everything that had happened she felt calm with Thorin at her side.
"Bella will he ever speak again?" asked Thorin as he guided them back into her rooms.
"I don't know that will depend on him. If he can learn to speak without hate then yes, should he refuse to change then no he will not. How did your meeting go with elves?"
"We have found a way into the mountain."
"Good news then."
"So it would seem. Bella do you want to stay here and learn more?" he asked softly.
"No, I don't belong here anymore than my mother did."
They continued to walk together until they reached her room where everyone was staying. Opening the door for her Thorin allowed her pass by first before following her inside.
Bella almost laughed when she turned from watching Thorin locking them into her room to looking at all the sleeping dwarves. All around her bed were dwarves wrapped in thick blankets snoring very loudly. She did not know where they had found blankets and fat feather pillows but she suspected that one of the kind female elves had been charmed by either Kili or Fili into finding some. She realized then that she had taken too long in returning to her room.
Eyeing her big soft bed, Bella tiptoed around them to standing beside the bed; she pulled off her shoes and slipped between the soft white sheets. With her, head on a soft pillow she watched as Thorin sat down on a chair in the corner.
Bella knew he was watching her in the bed. Without trying to over think it, she moved over on the bed, giving him room. He stood quickly, and walked over and lay down next to her. Turning into him, she laid her head on his shoulder and tried to think about how much her world was changing.
Thorin watched Bella in the bed and tried to remember that they were not alone. When she had moved over to make room for him he had found himself across the room before he even realized what he was doing. Her golden curls and soft white skin seemed to glow in the moonlight. Resisting the temptation on going under a sheet with her, he laid on top, after first removing his sword and axe and placing them close by. It felt to right having her beside him again. He knew he was being selfish for wanting her but could not stop himself from wanting her.
He spent the rest of the night awake feeling her soft breath on him and listening to the others snore. Before dawns light speared across the sky, he arose and armed himself before silently waking up those around him.
Bella did not hesitate in quickly gathering some clothes and going to dress in a small room off to the side. She returned dressed in her own clothes, to find all the dwarves awake, armed and waiting for her. Taking a moment to write a thank you note to Galadriel, Bella left the note on her pillow. Then together with Thorin and Balin leading, they found what looked like a long forgotten path out of Rivendell.
When Balin questioned about the whereabouts of Gandalf, he was assured by Thorin that Gandalf would be following them shortly.