Author's note: Ch 10 is a bit shorter than usual, I apologize for that, but I couldn't find a way to introduce the next event in a way that I liked; or even felt comfortable enough to leave be. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 10: Of Silver Streams
Thorin slid into the hidden passage, and landed right next to the orc that had been shot outside just a moment before it had swung its mighty arm down upon Thorin. Embedded deeply within the dead creature's back, and surely pierced heart, was an elvish arrow that the raven king glared at distastefully before spatting the word as though it were the worst of offenses. Rosemary, still perched upon Fili's back, glared angrily at the dwarrow king.
"He acts as though all elves are as heartless as the Mirkwood King." she mutters under hear breath, Fili muffling a smile as he listens to her grumble on about stubborn, blind, stone headed kings.
"You really shouldn't trust elves though, Miss Baggins." he whispers as he adjusts his hold on the hobbit lass.
"Hmph, I'll have you know, Master Fili, that an elf saved my life." Rosemary replied justly.
Fili glanced at her, "And just what was that elf saving you from?"
Just before Rosemary could begin her tale Dwalin commented upon a path leading away from the tunnel, and questioned whether or not to follow; which Bofur quickly shouted to obviously follow it as there was no point waiting about. Rounding the path, Rosemary smiled happily upon laying eyes upon Rivendell but soon frowns as all others groan loudly, even Fili and Kili. Thorin turns quickly to glare up at the grey wizard.
"This was your plan all along, wasn't it, Wizard?" he sneered distorting his usually handsome face, "To have us seek refuge with our enemies!"
"Now, Thorin, you have no enemies here, and more so, you know that in order to continue this journey you need their help." Gandalf stated with patients only those who lived years beyond other races.
"Sweet Yavvana!" Rosemary cried growing furious, "Put me down, please Fili."
Hurriedly crouching down, Fili gently released his hold on the lass. The company silent as they watched the hobbit march up to Thorin, and jam her finger on his chest. Fili and Kili muffling their laughs as the height difference was quite obvious with Rosemary only coming up to barely eye level with Thorin's chest. She glared up at the stubborn dwarf king.
"Your men are exhausted from both the battle just now, and from traveling in the rain! A few of them are bound to catch a fever if they don't get proper rest." Rose lectured poking his chest with every statement. " Furthermore, we have no supplies other than the packs on our backs, and only a few have even that! And I know for a fact that at least three of us have injuries that need herbs that we do not have!"
"Oin can easily handle any injuries that my men have! We do not need the herbs of tree lovers!" Thorin shouted staring down at the lass as he roughly pushed her hand away.
"That may be true, and I mean no disrespect to his healing abilities, but I highly doubt that he'll be able to stop fevers with just twigs and loss clothes." Rosemary said calmly, and frowned at Thorin.
"I am completely certain in his ability to find the herbs he'll possibly need for whatever injuries and fevers that may come our way, Miss Baggins." he stated, "We do not need the help of elves."
"And why ever not? We can rekindle our supplies here, get a good night's rest, good food, and heal injuries." she replied placing her hands on her shapely hips.
"Elves are treacherous. Black stabbers, and would rather joins orcs than help dwarves." Thorin said matter of factly, a sneer marring his face, "They know nothing of-"
"Oh, spare me your poisoned tongued hatred! You speak of only one elf! Will you simply paint the entire elven race with the same brush that all other races mar you race with!" Rosemary interrupted as she threw her hands in the air in frustration, "The world claims that dwarves care nothing for anything, but their gold! And would save cold metal instead of their own flesh and blood!"
"How dare you! You know nothing of anything!" Thorin shouted enraged.
"I know enough!" she shouted back stepping up to him, "I know you hold a deep rage within you heart from what has happened to you and your people. I know that this rage has grown into a hatred for others, especially elves, who did nothing to help you. And I know it is because of that rage and hatred that keeps you from seek aid from elves! And it is this that keeps you from being the king that your people need! Set your loathing aside for one night."
"You know nothing, hafling, nothing of what it takes to be king." Thorin bit out.
"You're wrong." Rosemary said, her gaze burning, " A good, just king would not only the hatred for one elf to restrain him for seeking out all available allies. A good, just king would set aside any grievances in order to creature a safe and peaceful kingdom, not only for his people; but for all others around his home. A good, just king discards his pride in order to do whatever is necessary to get what his people need… even if his people do not understand why their mighty king would kneel before another, and plead."
Silence befell upon the company as watched their stunned king and huffing burglar. They stiffen as she approached Thorin, and gently cupped his cheek.
"You're a king, Master Oakenshield. Yes, a king without a kingdom… but you have your people. This journey is for more than just the Arkenstone, and vengeance for all who Smaug stole." she quietly said.
Thorin blinked and frowned seeming to not understand what the hobbit was now saying. She sighed and trailed her hand down from his hot cheek to his armor covered chest, right above his heart.
"This journey is your test." Rose stated, "To prove that you can become the king that not only your people need, but also the king that Erebor needs and deserves. To prove to your creator, Mahal, that you will not succumb to the seduction of the arkenstone."
Audibly swallowing, Thorin gently removed her hand from his person and turned away to hide his reddened face.
"One night."
The company stare wide-eyed as Thorin began to walk. Many wonder what exactly just happened to persuade Thorin to accept going to the tree huggers, and the more zealous grumbled, Dwalin amongst them. Quickly, they follow their king as they trade glances with each other all noticing Thorin's tensionness.
Gandalf walks beside Rosemary, offering her to grip his robs so she may keep pressure off her leg.
"Ah, little Rose, the impact that you'll have upon these dwarves." he said in an enlightened tone.
"Have I said too much? Did I overstep my position as only a burglar?" she asked, her head downcasted.
"You are a member of this company, little Rose, you speak your mind as you see fit." Gandalf stated and narrowed his eyes at the few dwarves who turned to stare at the two.
Silently the company walked towards Rivendell.
Author's note: I do apologize for how short this one is, but to me it seemed like a good area in the story to stop since tensions were high between our dear Rose and Thorin... I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Until next time!
A/N: Thank you for the kind information dear reader. It has come to my attention that I didn't explain why Bungo Baggins was next in line for Thain when it's normally the Tooks who inherent that title.In this story it's more on who is the best educated and best in handling the responsibility that comes with being Thain (I'll make sure to put in more details about that later in the story). In later stories I'll make sure to inform you, dear readers, as to why I've changed something (it'll either be at the beginning or end in an AN). Thank you, I hope to update CH 11 very soon :)