Live Preview: Love in the Lonely Mountains, a Hobbit fanfiction | FanFiction
Chapter 10: I'm Sorry & Moonlight Love
"Enter," Eri called out to Thorin. Thorin turned the knob and entered the room, bringing a smile to Eri's face as he closed the door behind him, "Oh, Thorin!...Please come inside. Sit down, please, and make yourself comfortable…What brings you here? Forgot to tell me something?"
"I wanted to give something to you…"
"Really? What is it?"
"Something that rightfully belongs to you…" Thorin responded with a sad smile as he handed the necklace to Eri, who opened it and stared at it in awe at its beauty.
"Oh, it's so beautiful."
"It was a gift from your birth parents to you, something I was to give to you when you became of age."
"Why you? Why not them?"
"They feared of orc raids, so they entrusted you to me as I could protect you from them…This necklace was one of their gifts to you, and I know everything about you. I think it's high time you knew."
"What do you know?"
"For starters, your real name is 'Erica,' or 'alone' in Khuzdul."
Eri giggled innocently as she remarked, "Symbolic, huh?"
"Yes, very…Your mother was a dwarven merchant named Saira, and she was good friends with my sister, Lady Dis of Durin. Your father was a respected ranger from the human world named Robanus…Your father fell in love with your mother, married her, and had you."
"Where are my parents? Do you know?" Thorin gulped a slow gulp and turned away from Eri with sad eyes, which caused her to become concerned, "What's wrong? Do you need to tell me something?"
"Eri, I-"
"Thorin, if you know something about my parent's whereabouts, you must tell me. I won't be angry or upset, just be honest with me."
"You promise you won't even if the news are…hurtful?"
"I promise…"
"...I was working in the forges of the human world, and when I walked home from a long day, I smelled a very unpleasant scent. It reeked of death. I followed the stench back to a cave and I looked around, finding blood and dead orcs all around until I saw two bodies collapsed on the ground…I lifted the nearest body up and found a woman, wearing a necklace with a mark similar to the mark on your bracelet…That's when I realized that I had found Robanus and Saira, dead and slain by orcs in the night."
"What?!"
"Eri, I'm so sorry…I didn't want to tell you this, but you deserved to know the truth. I'm so sorry."
"It's not you; it's me…This is all my fault! They would still be alive if I had never been born; why am I an omen of death to all those around me? Is this why I was named Erica, because I'd be alone?!" Erigaela cried as she collapsed to the mattress in a fit of sobs, shoulders heaving up and down with such a force that it almost brought Thorin to tears himself. Thorin didn't want to desert her when she was in pain, but at the same time, he loved her too much and didn't want to hurt her any further. Thorin cursed in Khuzdul in his head, shaming himself for hurting a woman in this way. Seeing Eri in pain made Thorin feel sorry for her, so like an comforting friend, he pulled Eri into his arms and embraced her, shushing her and combing his fingers through her hair.
"I'm so sorry, Eri. I promised I'd protect you from anyone and anything that could harm you, and I failed you…I just wanted you to have closure, knowing you wouldn't have to search for them your whole life with nowhere to start. Eri, I'm going to tell you something I should've told you a long time ago…I love you."
"What?"
"I love you, by Mahal I honestly I do…I can't bear to see you in pain, and I want to protect you for all time until I breathe my last breath…I love you."
"Thorin…"
"It's okay if you don't love me as well…I'll understand after what I've just done-"
"Thorin, stop apologizing to me…You did nothing to hurt me. I just needed some time to grieve their loss, but I think I'll survive now…"
"Does this mean-"
"I won't leave your side, Thorin. I'll stay with the group…"
"I really am sorry. Is there anything I can do to ease your pain?"
"There's one thing you can do…"
"And what would that be, love?"
"Stay with me tonight…please…"
"Of course, beautiful…"
"Thorin?"
"Yes?"
"I love you too…" As those words came to Thorin's ears, he grabbed Erigaela's hand and pulled her close to him, kissing her with a ferocity she had not seen before. Eri, falling head over heels in love with the dwarven king, kissed him back with the same ferocity as he wrapped his arms around her waist. After they broke away for air, the two stared at each other in awe and passion for the other until Eri confessed, "I wrote a song…"
"A song?...What's it about?"
"It's a song about you…and my love for you and only you…"
"Could you sing it for me, my nightingale?"
"Certainly...(Hums for 4 measures)…'If only he could know,
The man I fell for
Will I reap what I sow?
I've never felt like this before.
A man who knew much pain,
A man full of light
Have I truly gone insane?
His smile must be so bright.
I wish that he could see,
That I truly love him so
I hope he too loves me…
If only he could know.
His eyes and hair are of this earth,
Tis a joy when we meet
A man of noble birth,
He make my heart skip a beat…
I confess I love him so,
Has he found his fair Lily?
If only he could know,
If only he could know...'"
"Beautiful as always, Eri."
"Did you like it?"
"Like it? I loved it…It was very beautiful and well written."
"Thank you…Thorin?"
"Yes, love?"
"I want to ask a favor of you…"
"Anything…"
"Would you like to star gaze with me?"
"Of course." Thorin and Erigaela stared out of the window in Thorin's bedroom, remarking about the star's beauty as Eri replied, "I've always loved seeing the stars, and I could see them so clearly back in my old home."
"I do agree that they are beautiful." Thorin gazed up until he stared at Erigaela's white hair, which shimmered like starlight in the moon's pale glow; Thorin thought that her hair was interesting, she was interesting!...But alas, he would not show his emotion towards this girl, oh no! He had to be the strong king under the mountains, but something in him made him yearn for Eri. Eri gazed up at Thorin and smiled, showing him a warmth he had not seen in so long…almost as if Dis were smiling for him right now. Through these girls, he saw Dis's beauty, temper, and competitive nature in Rose…But the one girl he favored the most was Erigaela, who had Dis's smile, happiness, and innocence. There was an eerie silence before one of them broke it: "Where did you get such a beautiful trinket? I've never seen that one before."
"Which one? The locket or the butterfly?"
"Well, both…"
"…When Rose I made ourselves official 'sisters of the heart,' Rose bought a necklace similar to mine with her birthstone on it, to symbolize our bond…Now the butterfly. That's a real story."
"Do tell."
"Butterflies are said to be the symbol of rebirth, and these creatures have always enchanted me…They start their lives as caterpillars until they create a cocoon and gain wings, allowing them to fly wherever they wish…I always wanted to escape, and these creatures inspired me to do such a feat…"
"Interesting…"
"Thank you…" I became quiet again before Thorin muttered: "Your hair…"
"I'm sorry, Sire?"
"Your hair is white…"
"Yes, it would seem it is…"
"Why is it white? I've never seen white before on someone so young…Any particular reason why it is so?"
"Why is that any of your business? Not to offend you, but-"
"There's something about you that interests me…Something that draws me to you. I might as well know why your hair is as white as snow…"
"I wouldn't want to bore you, your majesty."
"You won't…I want to hear every last detail…"
"Well…If you insist, Sire-"
"You do not have to keep referring to me as 'Sire.' Just Thorin would suffice."
"I see…I have something to ask of you, Thorin."
"Anything…"
"Do you find me…strange?"
"…No, of course not! Why would you ask something absurd?'
"It's just a question, nothing more…"
"No…Why would you find yourself strange?"
"It's my hair, you see…I cannot help it, but I've heard people remark about me: They called me strange…"
"Those people are wrong, and you are not strange…You're mysterious, enchanting, interesting!...At least to me, you are…"
"Thank you…"
"I have been wondering how it is your hair became such a hue…Were you born with it?"
"Goodness, no…Truth be told: My hair was actually brown, like your nephew, Kili's."
"Really?"
"Yes…"
"What happened to it?"
"…Shortly after I realized I had my powers, I traveled again…I was traveling near a lake when I noticed a young, human girl drowning, and thinking quickly, I jumped in after her. I was able to reach her in enough time to get her to shore, however, I was not so lucky…My foot became trapped on a strand of rope under the lake, pulling me under fast; I tried to escape, but my vision started to dim when I saw a bright light…It called me out by name and told me, 'Erigaela…You are special my dear, and you have done well…You are selfless, brave, and true in your actions of kindness, but you are not needed here in this place. Share your gift and kindness with others and someday, you will join us when the time is right…Go on and live, child.'…All of a sudden, I snapped awake, coughing up water and gasping for air at the feet of the girl and the two teenaged men she ran to get for help…They told me my hair had turned white, and I took it as a sign of that voice giving me my life back to help so many others," Thorin seemed confused and shocked at her story, almost to the point of gasping before Eri remarked, "You look troubled, Thorin. Cat got your tongue?"
"No…I-You…A voice gave you your life back?"
"Yes, I felt a warm touch before I breathed again…You do not believe me, do you?"
"I might, but I'm still not sure…"
"It's all right, I understand," Eri whispered to herself as she walked off before Thorin commanded, "No, don't leave. I did not mean to upset you…Do you speak true?"
"Of course…Why would I tell a complete stranger if it were not the truth?"
"You bring up a good point…Continue."
"After saving the girl's life, she agreed to let me stay the night with her and her family. We walked through the town when she asked to go inside a shop. She promised she'd be right back, so I let her go inside alone; when she returned, she asked me to close my eyes and hold out my hand. I did as I was told, and my butterfly pendant was laying there in my hands…The girl had given it to me as a gift to symbolize our first meeting and sisterly friendship and to show the world my rebirth…I still wear it as a reminder of that day, and to remember that kind, innocent girl whom I became a sisterly friend to."
"That is extraordinary…Eri?"
"Yes, Thorin?"
"I would like to make a promise to you tonight…"
"Anything you wish, Thorin…"
"I-I promise to protect you from those who could do you harm, and I will ensure your safety…You never have to be alone again because I will be here…"
"Thorin…"
"That is my pledge to you…Do you accept?"
"I-I…Yes, if that is what you wish to do for me…than I say yes. I thank you for your kindness and protection, and I only wish that you can reclaim your homeland…It rightfully belongs to you."
"I appreciate any help that comes to me…"
"I must ask this of you: Why do you treat me with such kindness when all I am is a burden? Men have treated me horribly for years, why now the sudden change of heart?"
"…I would not wish you to return to that dark place again, a place that you desperately wished to escape from for so long…I am nothing like those men, Pandora, and you know that; I will protect until my days upon this earth are gone…I have never thought of you as a burden, but I see a girl who wants to be free but also to be loved and belong somewhere safe…."
"You don't see me as a burden?"
"No, you can wield a bow like any archer I've ever seen, and you have excellent healing abilities…You can take care of yourself, all right, but you need someone to love you just as much as you love yourself…Truth be told: You really do remind me of Lady Dis of Durin."
"You've said that before and I guess you'll say it again."
"Aye…You remind me of her innocence and pure beauty."
"I knew her personally, and we were great friends..."
"Really? Dis never mentioned you…"
"She didn't? She told me she had…Oh well, that's Dis for you. Always keeping secrets and helping others when necessary. She put others before herself, correct?"
"Yes…How is it you know more about me than I know about myself?"
"
"You can anticipate movements from various information given to you, and you use the information to your advantage...Extraordinary!"
"Thank you."
"That's what makes it seem as though Rose is your own child: Rose's empathy and your anticipation of future events…"
"I feel more of a guardian to her than a mother, even though she considers me a substitute mother."
"Oh, believe me. I know the feeling…"
"But I wonder…Once she can stand alone, I will no longer be needed."
"But, you need someone to love you just as much as you love her, right?"
"Yes…" Without warning, Thorin gently cupped Erigaela's face in his callused hands and kissed her on her soft lips, caressing her small form with his large arms. Eventually, Eri warmed into the kiss before the two pulled away for air, staring into the eyes of the other with passion and innocence before Eri said, "Thorin…"
"I'm sorry if I startled you- I did not mean to-I-"
"Thorin…I am not angry, but I want to thank you again for all you have done for Rose and me. Your kindness and generosity has done wonders for us…Thank you."
"It was my pleasure…"
"Thorin?"
"Yes, Erigaela?"
"I want you to have something of mine, something I am to give to the one man I love most…"
"What is it?"
"My innocence…"
"…Oh, Eri! I could never-"
"Please, Thorin…for me..."
"You're sure you want to do this?"
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life until you became a part of it…Maybe that spirit did me a favor by giving me a new life because without it, I would have never met a wonderful, interesting man such as yourself…"
"Then, I guess I will do as you wish..."
Eri cupped Thorin's face in her hands, smiling her innocent smile, before she kissed him back with a passion equal to what he had given her before, causing Thorin to wrap his arms around her again as Eri wrapped her arms around Thorin's neck, moaning from how he was kissing her. Erigaela and Thorin continued to kiss each other's lips, leading to a more passionate dance usually shared among lovers. As they continued this twilight excursion, he thought about how she had treated for years by others, and how it affected her over the years: She may have been mistreated and maybe wanted to just die to be away from all the pain, but had she just given up and died, Thorin would've never met her and Rose would not have a 'sister.' Overall, he had a mixture of sadness and joy in what happened to her but there was more sadness than anything.
Erigaela noticed Thorin's sad look and asked him what was wrong, "Thorin, what's the matter?"
"…It's nothing."
"Are you all right?...If you don't want to do this, I-"
"It's not that, Eri…It's just a bad memory, but I'm replacing it with a better one: The memory of my adventure with you."
"Thorin…"
"I will not hurt you, my love…If you would like for me to stop, I-"
"I'll be all right…Just make me yours and yours alone, my dwarven king under the Lonely Mountains."
"Very well, my moonlight beauty." Thorin responded as he kissed Eri's lips. This moment, memory, continued long into the night until they both came together, collapsing onto the bed together in a sweating mass of pants and gasps.
"Thorin…Thank you…for everything…" Erigaela panted as she scooted closer and rested her head onto his chest: Curly, ebony chest hair with the scent of wood and charcoal, which seemed to appeal to Eri's sense of smell.
"Obliged to be….of service to you…Anything for you, my beautiful…seer," Thorin gasped out as he applied several blankets over them, "…Goodnight, love. May you sleep well."
"Pleasant dreams, your majesty." The two snuggled into each other for warmth as Thorin wrapped his arms around Erigaela's petite body. The two slept like logs for the rest of the night.
Meanwhile in the next room, Fili and Rose began to converse together as the woman asked of the blonde dwarf, "So Fili…I wonder how Thorin and Eri's talk about the past is going, huh?"
"Yes…Thorin seemed sad when he told me and Kili about Eri's parents being slain and the locket."
"I feel so sorry for her…Having a name that means 'alone' in Khuzdul, having anyone you love ripped right from your life, and now finding out who you are years later…It's too much for someone like her."
"I do hope she finds closure in that…Hey, there's no need for tears as long as I'm here."
"I know… It's just I feel sorry for her. She and I are like the sisters, and I'm happy for her for finding me but…I feel sorry for all she had to endure."
"It breaks my heart too…Erigaela lost many she loved, and you…You were mistreated for being someone you didn't choose to be. Always having to forage for your next meal, having to tolerate or fight bullies…all of that hurt you, but it made you stronger."
"…You're right about that…Fili?"
"Yes?"
"You don't think I'm ugly, do you?"
"No, of course not! Why would you ask such a thing?! You're beautiful."
"No I'm not."
"Yes, you are…Rose, you have a special beauty that in my eyes is dwarven beauty that I've never seen before for a very, long time…If anything, you'd be considered one of the fairest maidens in all of Durin."
"Really?"
"Yes…Open your eyes and look at yourself in a mirror," Fili commanded as he handed her a hand mirror on the dresser in her bedroom, "What do you see?"
"I see a weird, pale, empathetic girl with blood red features and green eyes…I see a girl who wants to be pretty in her lover's eyes, but never feels beautiful…What is this all about?"
"You want to know what I see?"
"Surprise me…"
"I see a beautiful girl who wants to be well-known for her adventurous deeds and golden heart, but is always pushed down by those who doubt her abilities. I see a beauty that matches that of the innocent dove and the passionate red rose…I also see a bird with an injured wing, someone who wants another to love her just as much as she loves herself and others…"
"Fili?"
"Yes, Rose?"
"I-umm…I-"
"Yes?..." Without warning, Rose embraced Fili and kissed him passionately on the lips, her blood red lips engulfing his mouth. Fili warmed into the kiss, giving just as much ferocity to her as she gave to him until the two broke away for air…Rose started to blush until her face was as red as her hair and lips, which caused Fili to chuckle at her bold actions, "Desperate, are we?"
"Fili…I wanted to tell you sooner but…I was afraid of how you'd react…What I'm trying to say is…I love you."
"What?"
"I love you, Fili…Not like a comrade, but like a husband. My husband!"
"Rose, I don't know what to say…"
"You don't love me, do you?"
"No! That's not it…The truth is: I love you too, and I was also afraid…You made my job so much easier for me."
"Then…will you accept my love and be my lover?"
"Of course, Rose. Anything for you."
"I have one more thing I want to ask you."
"Your wish is my command."
"Would you do the honors of staying here with me for the night?...Please?"
"Of course…" Fili answered as he laid Rose gently on the bed, curling up beside her, "Is this all right?"
"Yes…but I meant…The other way…"
"…Other way? What do you mean by-Oh! 'That' way…"
"It's all right if you don't want to…I understand."
"No, I'll do it if that's what you want…but are you sure? Didn't you fight off men so they wouldn't do that to you?...Are you ready to give up for me?"
"Yes, Fili…You're the man I love and I made a promise to myself, just as Erigaela did long ago: Whoever we love will have the pleasure of taking our innocence from us…That was our agreement, and I'm fullfilling it…Please, Fili?"
"…All right, It's agreed…But if you feel any pain and want to stop, I will stop."
"Understood, Fili…Please, allow me." Rose hopped off the bed and stripped her red velvet dress off, letting it fall gracefully to the stone floor below her as Fili stripped his clothes off in sync with Rose. By the time Fili was kicking off his boots, the two were completely bare to each other's eyes, ready to begin their love-making process just as Kili and Eri had done minutes earlier. Fili was just as handsome as his brother, Kili, but he had blondish hair and a beard, as well as braids flowing through his hair; Rose had dwarven beauty, but it could still be considered as pretty to humans, to match delicate hands and dove white skin that seemed to glow in the moonlight. Fili inched closer to Rose as she did the same, extending her hand outwards to scrape it over Fili's face and his silky, golden locks. That's when Fili lifted Rose into his arms bridal style and laid her on the bed gently, kissing her passionately as he did so. However, one thing still made him feel anxious: What if he hurt her? What if he took great care and then she regrets the action later?...The more he thought about that, the more he worried until Rose noticed his face, "Fili, what's wrong?"
"Oh, there's nothing wrong."
"Don't you know I can feel anything you feel and see anything you see like a book?...What's wrong?"
"I'm worried about hurting you just as those men did before."
"You're nothing like them, Fili…and besides-"
"I know, Rose…But I've heard many tales of great care being taken and then women being hurt or regretting their action."
"I don't regret this because I'm here with you…I will always be here with you for all time, my love."
"Thank you, Rose…But, are you sure about-" Fili started to ask before Rose placed a gentle, delicate finger on his lips to silence him as she whispered, "I've never been more sure of anything in my life…I trust you."
Afterwards, the two broke apart and laid together on the bed, just as Thorin and Eri had done previously.
"How was that?" Fili asked before he felt Rose's hand grab his. All at once, he could see her thoughts and images shown to him like a book, and he could feel her emotions. He saw their intimate moment playing back in her mind and he heard her say, 'That was better than I imagined…Thank you. Without you, I wouldn't have learned that I had true beauty; thank you, Fili. I love you.'
"You're welcome," Fili smirked as he pulled the covers over him and Rose, her snuggling into his chest for warmth, until he whispered sweet things and names to her lovingly, "I love you too, my precious red rose. My innocent little dove. My dancer on the wind…" With that, Fili and Rose fell asleep, preparing for the next day…
**Author's Note: If any followers and/or reviewers have ANY ideas for more of this story, please review so that I can write more for this story. I have a feeling that it's not finished but I really want to hear your feedback to make sure. Thank you for your time and please comment.
-Sairahiniel SakuraAeris1497**