NOTE: Hey guys been a long time lol. For those of you new to the story, basically I'm trying to create a love interest for Thorin. Frankly the hobbit lacks a little romance haha. For those who have already read this story I thank you for your continued patience. I know it's been a long haul. As you can see I have restructured the story a little bit to make longer chapters. There is a new one at the end. REMEMBER: any and all reviews are greatly appreciated.
I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS CREATED BY J.R. TOLKEIN
Nola was running just ahead of him. He might not have even seen her if Balin hadn't taken a breather from planning their journey from Rivendell to Erebor. Elrond and Gandalf had left secretly to accomplish some important business. That left him with chatterbox and Bilbo.
As soon as he called out her name she stopped, turning slowly to face them.
"Nola is that really you?" Balin whispered beside him.
After a moment of hesitation, Nola rushed forward into Balin's waiting arms.
"Uncle Balin!" she exclaimed. Balin held her as Thorin tried to catch her gaze over his shoulder. However she was looking at the floor, avoiding eye contact, Nola pulled back and gave Balin the wide smile. She stood just above him.
"Uncle Balin have you gotten shorter?" She teased.
"Wider, not shorter." He corrected.
"I'm sorry you two are related?" Bilbo asked. Thorin rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Oh no, just very old friends." Balin said. If he smiled any more he would crack his face. "We thought you were lost my girl."
Nola suddenly grew very somber. "It's a long story Balin…" she said, struggling not to let tears overcome her.
That was when Thorin noticed something.
"Nola! leg!" Thorin said suddenly.
She wearing a beautiful dress and her hair was just as wild as always. But the front of the gown was stained red along her leg. She looked down sharply, her face going just a little pale.
"Oh I must have pulled some stitches…" She told them. "I'll just head back to the room."
She took two limping steps before Thorin had to rush forward to catch her from falling. Although she was trying to mask it, Thorin could tell she was in great pain.
"Allow me to help you." He offered.
"No I'm fine really." She assured him.
One more step convinced him otherwise. He scoped her up in his arms and carried her to where he guessed she was staying. When she didn't object, he set her on the bed.
"Is everything alright?" Bilbo asked poking his head through the door.
"I swear to Mahal, I'm going to kill that hobbit!" Thorin thought murderously.
There must have been a specific look on his face because Balin spoke up: "Bilbo why don't you go get someone who can help."
"All right…" Bilbo squeaked.
"So lass are you going to tell us what happened." Balin asked sitting on the edge of her bed.
"I wouldn't even know where to start." She sighed.
"The beginning" Balin encouraged. "What happened when your family arrived in Moria?"
"We all settled in fine." She began with a deep breath. "However once mining got underway, father's attention slipped on security. When the Orks came, we were completely unprepared. They left us alive on the condition that we continue to mine in their service."
"How could your father be so careless?" Thorin asked outraged.
"All he wanted was treasure." She responded. "He believed the reputation of Moria would be enough to keep us safe."
"But what happened after that?" Balin asked urging them away from an argument.
"When we received news that Smaug had taken Erebor and that you were on your way, all the dwarves were taken deep into the city and locked in." She replied. "I managed to sneak out and warn you, but we were unsuccessful in freeing ourselves from the orks. There were just too many…"
"And what's happening now?" Balin asked fearful of the answer.
"To put it simply… we are dying out." Nola told them, tears building in her eyes. "When my father told Azog we weren't going to do his dirty work anymore, I was taken out of the city to be brought Mahal knows where as leverage to convince my father to continue in the mines."
"You looked in pretty rough shape when we found you." Thorin stated.
"Yeah well, I wasn't going without a fight."
"I still can't believe your father abused his leadership like that…" Thorin muttered to himself.
"I can't believe you never came back to help us!" Nola said suddenly.
"Excuse me?"
"I know my father was a horrible leader." Nola stated angrily. "But how dare you criticize him when you left us for dead."
"We had our own problems to deal with!" Thorin barked. "My people were homeless, we had nothing. How do you expect us to help you when we could barely take care of ourselves?"
"You just don't get it do you." Nola said to herself. "We are dying off! If we're not dying, we're being tortured and if you aren't being tortured, then we work to death in the mines."
"You think we enjoyed wandering place to place, never knowing if we were truly safe?" Thorin shot back.
"Everyone had it rough alright!" Balin interrupted. "Thorin go a get some rest before we leave tomorrow."
Thorin huffed and stomped out of the room.
Nola looked back at Balin. After a moment of silence she said: "So… Erebor hun?"
…
The next morning, as per Gandalf's instructions the dwarves packed up, getting ready to sneak out of the city. Surprisingly, the 13 members were able to move quickly and silently.
"So we're just going to leave Nola here?" Balin asked Thorin.
"I don't think she feels inclined to do us any favors." Thorin said gruffly. "Besides she's too injured for travel.
Kili and Fili started snickering in the corner.
"What's the matter with you two?"
"Nothing uncle." Fili replied. "We just share your sentiment."
"Sentiment?" Thorin gave them a puzzled look.
"Yeah, I wouldn't want to travel with the girl who broke my heart either." Kili informed him with a smile.
He fell back into Fili's arms in a fake swoon, causing the rest of the dwarves to burst into laughter. One look from Thorin silenced them all in seconds.
"It's more complicated than that." He told them.
…
Nola was packing all the supplies she had asked Lindir to bring her. Food, weapons and anything else she could think of that would fit in the small pack he gave her.
"You're really leaving so soon then?" He asked her.
"I have things that need taking care of." She replied. "Besides you've worked wonders on my wounds."
"Skills I've been developing for centuries." He stated proudly.
"And I thank you." She gave him a nod that he graciously returned.
She grabbed the pack of the bed adjusted the shirt and pants which she finally found and left the room.
…
They hadn't even made it halfway up the hill before Bomber complained he was hungry.
"We're never going to get through this quest." Thorin complained internally.
The hobbit was humming beside him, clearly having enjoyed his experience with the elves. Thorin looked back at his company. He supposed he owed Lord Elrond for the well-rested expressions on the faces of his companions.
Suddenly he heard shouting from below.
"Ah lassie! You've come to join us!" Dwalin exclaimed.
"Dwalin, it's good to see you!"
Thorin cringed as he turned around to see Nola standing in a circle of dwarves.
"And what are you doing here?" He asked coldly.
"I've decided to join you on your quest!" She announced.
"Don't feel as if you own me anything for saving your life." He told her haughtily.
"This isn't about you." She replied. "This is about Erebor, our homeland. If there is a chance we can take it back, I'm going to be a part of it."
"Aren't you still too wounded?" Balin asked her.
"The Linder's healing magic got me all patched up." She informed him.
Somehow that didn't sit well with Thorin. "Out of the question. Yesterday you could barely stand. How do you expect to make it through a quest?"
"I'm fine." She said pointedly.
After a moment, an idea occurred to Thorin. He drew out his sword and said: "Fine if you can disarm me, you may accompany us."
Nola crossed her arms in frustration. After she realized he was being perfectly serious, she bent down on the ground a picked up a small stone. Everyone held their breath waiting to see what would happen next. Nola inspected the stone for a moment, and then in a split second she chucked it hard and fast towards Thorin.
He didn't even have time to move before the stone hit him right between the eyes, causing him to blackout and fall backwards. After a few seconds Fili was able to revive him just in time to hear Nola say:
"Balin lead the way won't you?"