I play with the hem of the sleeve of my light blue dress. I used to hate them because I felt they were unsuited for me but then I realized how comfortable they are and that thought flew right out the window. I've always been a comfort over looks type of girl. Yet I resent them. Wearing them all day everyday is tedious! It's a love hate relationship. I have to admit I love being in Rivendell but my God I just want this damn quest to continue, I need to find this damn demon, kill it and go home.
My thoughts are interrupted when a nervous looking Ori wanders up to me with a book clutched to his chest. I give him a smile "Hey Ori, what can I do for you?"
He goes red and looks at the floor "I was wandering if I could draw your portrait?" He asks, barely a whisper.
"You can draw?" I ask
He nods.
"Can I see?"
He looks hesitant.
"I'll let you draw me if you show me your book" I say with a grin.
He hands over the book and I open it and stare in awe. He's good! Really accurate! There are pictures of landscapes and Dwarves I've never met, all of the company, little sketches here and there. When I'm done gawking over them I hand it back.
"You can draw my portrait" I say. I'm a little excited to see what he sees.
He grins and tells me not to move. I do as he says but a smile crops up on my face when I see how much he is concentrating. After a while he finishes and stares at it triumphantly then hands it to me. I take it and my jaw drops. I look amazing! He even drew the smile.
"You can keep it" He says.
I grin and hug the youngest Dwarf "Thank you! This is amazing!"
He smiles and me and blushes before wandering off. I put the picture in my bag. The one thing I did not let the Elves take off me.
I look around at the Dwarves and at Bilbo who are all having a laugh with each other. We decided to leave at sunrise so we still have all night to relax. I notice Thorin sitting away from the group. I go over to him and sit next to him.
"Are you okay, Thorin?" I ask.
He seems to be knocked out of a trance for he looks at me in shock "Yes, I'm fine" He states and stands up.
He heads for the exit and I follow him into the gardens "You're lying" I state.
He stops and turns to me "You're not like most women. You don't go out of your way to be eloquent or polite. You're brash and straight to the point and stubborn."
I laugh "Are complimenting me or insulting me? I'm not going to act like nothings wrong when something is wrong. That's how people get hurt" I reply.
"I was thinking" Thorin says unhelpfully.
I sit on a bench "About?"
He remains on his feet. "Marriage"
"That's an odd thing to think about at a time like this. I thought you were worried about the quest?"
"I am, though this thought refuses to leave my mind."
"The quest really should not be put on the back burner. So let it out, tell me what your thought is" I coax.
Thorin stares at me intently "It's you"
My stomach drops "What about me?" I ask.
"I can't get you out of my head. Every thought I have involves you, when we were captured by those trolls all I could think about was what I would do if you got hurt. After that all I wanted to do was keep you safe. Then I realised that I've been thinking this way since the day I met you and you talked back to me." He explains, my stomach feels heavier and heavier with every word and a lump forms and grows in my throat.
I say nothing so he continues "I realised today when you were speaking with Lord Elrond and I felt this overwhelming jealousy that I love you"
Oh Christ he said! What the hell do I say to that? Sorry mate I'm already the wife to the son of the Elf who didn't help you when your home was taken from you by Smaug. I don't think so. But I can hardly say I love you too because that's not true.
I don't know what he thought my silence was code for because when my mind comes back from its panic room Thorin is on one knee in front of me and he takes my hand. My jaw drops what the hell! Don't do it.
"Jennifer Finlay" Thorin starts, no, no Thorin don't ask, "Will you marry me and be my Queen under the mountain once we reclaim Erebor"
I stare at him unable to speak. What should I do! My voice comes back but it's cracked "Thorin, no, I don't love you like that"
Thorin smiles then stands up "I see, well…"
"I'm sorry Thorin" I state.
"No, don't be sorry, I understand" He replies.
I smile at him feeling relief flood through me "Thank you"
"I will make you fall in love with me" My stomach drops again.
"Come again?" I ask
"I will make you love me, I will show you that I am the man for you, I'll prove myself to you by reclaiming my homeland and becoming the King under the mountain. After that you will want for nothing. I will give you everything you deserve" He states looking determined.
"Wait, Thorin…" I begin but he cuts me off.
"Before this quest is over, you will love me" With that he turns and leaves.
I drop my face into my hands "That went well" I mutter into my hands.
I stand up and head back into the building and to the room I was given when I got here. It's not appropriate for an unmarried Lady to stay with 13 Dwarves and a Hobbit. I was close to saying 'well good thing I'm married then!' but I decided against it.
I close the door behind me and see that my clothes have already been cleaned and dried and have been left for me. I wiggle out of the dress and pull my skinny jeans on as well as my off shoulder shirt. I slide on my socks and boots before folding the dress up and placing it on the bed. I grab my jacket and my bag and head back to the Dwarves. Bilbo looks up as I enter and stares at me confused.
"Have you been wearing that this whole time?" He asks
I look down at myself "Yeah, why?"
"It's a bit revealing isn't it?" He asks with a frown.
I smile "No, dad, it's not"
He goes a bit red and puts his head down. The company laughs and my eyes drift over to Thorin who is staring unabashedly at my chest. He catches me looking at him and his eyes flick away quickly. I laugh a little pulling my jacket on then put my bag over my shoulder.
"Right, lads, shall we go?" I state watching the sky lighten slightly.
Thorin looks in the direction I am then nods "Let's move out" He commands.
We sneak out of Rivendell quickly. I glance over my shoulder at it once more and see Bilbo is looking back at it longingly.
"Master Baggins, I suggest that you keep up." Thorin shouts back at Bilbo.
Bilbo jumps and looks at Thorin before throwing Rivendell one last look and catching up to us.