The Hobbit: All in the Family

Chapter 10 of my Hobbit story, enjoy.

Reviews

Marina Ka-Fai: Actually, Tilda is the only one who can truly end her nightmare, she must make the first move. Well, just wait and see what happens in this chapter.
Boris Yeltsin: Thanks :)
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks, and yeah, it's sweet :)
Sofasoap: Yeah, well, rest easy, Tilda's troubles are soon to be over; right here in this chapter.

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: The Hobbit belongs to JRR. Tolkien.

Chapter 10

Tilda sat quietly, her head bowed as she considered everything that had happened. She continued to suffer her husband's displeasure, had done so for practically a year now. Yet time hadn't improved things; Alrek still beat and raped her; yet still, to his rage, she had not conceived a child. This was made even worse by the fact that not only had Sigrid given Fili a son, Tiana was pregnant now too, in fact, she would be due to give birth any day now.

Making things worse was her husband's betrayal; his breaking of his agreement as part of their marriage. The marriage alliance had been made to help ensure that Dale would be safe from attacks from the east, particularly the lands of Rhun. Yet when a large army of soldiers from Rhun invaded, Alrek kept his army at home and did not even attempt to stop them. The army of Rhun was only beaten back from Dale by the timely aid of Erebor and Mirkwood.

This was a sore point with Alrek; who had taken out his anger on Tilda.

'Despite the fact he was the one who refused to move his armies; he acts as if he's been slighted by my father sending for Dwarves and Elves to help.' She thought sadly.

Shaking her head she straightened up; wondering what was going on. Something had happened to interrupt their dinner after all.

She grimaced as she saw Torrad was standing before Alrek and her, as they sat at the high table. She could see her husband seemed to have singled him out for something. Whatever it was, she feared it wasn't good; she was especially fearful for Torrad whom, she was now completely certain, she loved dearly.

"Torrad." Alrek growled, his voice menacing despite being slurred by drink.

Torrad stood straight, waiting. "Yes my Lord?"

He couldn't understand why his lord had called him up to stand here, in front of the gathered nobles, before him and Tilda. He had a sneaking suspicion however, that something very wrong was going on.

Then Alrek spoke, confirming what Torrad had thought. "What have you been doing with my wife?"

'Besides loving her and wanting to save her from a cruel beast like you?' He thought bitterly, but kept his face and tone neutral as he replied. "I have done nothing, my Lord."

Alrek merely growled. "Liar."

Torrad shook his head. "My Lord, I swear I have never…"

Alrek's response to this was to throw his wine in Torrad's face, in the midst of gasps from those assembled. Tilda ruefully noted they weren't gasping at Alrek's behaviour, but Torrad, a mere steward, having the audacity to stand up to him. Torrad merely glared, wiping his face clean.

"So, that's how you say you don't believe me." He snarled.

There were more gasps at this; but Torrad couldn't care less, he'd had enough.

Alrek glared at his steward, angered by the man's defiance of him, his rightful master. He sat back in his seat, placing his hands, palm down, on the table.

"You should know your place." He warned the defiant young man.

Torrad looked from Alrek to Tilda, who was looking pale, eyes wide, concerned. He then looked at Alrek again and shook his head.

"Do you beat up your wife as badly as you treat us servants?" He asked darkly.

Everything seemed to freeze at that.

Alrek spluttered before choking out. "What did you say, how dare you?!"

Torrad narrowed his eyes. "I dare, you abuse your wife every night, beat her, rape her. Just as you have raped the maids, assaulted us all!"

"I will not be spoken to like this; you will know your place!" Alrek bellowed in reply; to the murmured assent of the gathered nobles, who were all glaring at Torrad.

Torrad however was determined. "I will stand up for those you have hurt, all of them, my lady included."

Tilda sat listening to this; a feeling of anger growing inside as the man she loved was forced to face down the beast that had ruined her so badly.

'This is…' She thought to herself. 'I can't take this anymore; I've decided now, enough is enough.'

Alrek looked vicious as he spoke again. "So be it, you betray me, you have tried to steal my wife, I will…!"

But he never finished for at that moment, Tilda seized the dinner knife next to her plate and stabbed it viciously through Alrek's right hand, pinning it to the table. He screamed in agony, shock immediately coursing through him as it was apparent to all; it was his own wife who had done it.

There were gasps, cries and sudden movement as all the nobles in the room began clamouring, many attempting to help Alrek free his hand.

"Torrad." Tilda said softly, catching his attention.

She gestured and began to leave; he immediately understood and followed her. The nobles ignored them, expecting the servants to stop them. However the servants were on Tilda's side with this and allowed her and Torrad to leave the hall. Using the time they had bought Tilda and Torrad headed for her and Alrek's chambers.

"Torrad." Tilda said quickly. "You must come with me."

He started at that. "What, why me?"

She shook her head. "Please, he'll kill you if you stay. I can't…I can't let that happen."

"As you wish my Lady." He said at last.

It was they discovered just how much the servants were on Tilda's side, for at that moment, they reached the chambers, only to find Madeleine waiting for them.

"I've already packed your belongings my lady, Torrad's too; I knew you'd want him to go with you." She said. "Armod is waiting for you at the stables.

Armod was the groom and, rumoured to be, Madeleine's lover. They immediately hurried; relieved to see they still weren't being pursued. Finally they reached the stables where Armod had secured their belongings to two horses, which were all set to go. They immediately mounted them and Armod nodded.

"Good luck to you both."

They thanked him and soon they were riding away; Tilda letting out a low breath of relief as finally, she tasted it after so long, freedom. She knew where she was going too; Dale, home.

End of chapter, finally Tilda's taken action and escaped; hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.