Author's Note: So, who was that mysterious man that controlled their chances to live? In this Chapter you will see more. I said I'm introducing characters and I am. Hopefully you'll see the figure of another fascinating character! Or should I say, are you ready for some more female characters? lol. Hope you really enjoy this chapter! A
They were now exposed to Lomenil. The guest of his, could possibly know everything about them. More, he could know Thorin's name, and then they wouldn't be able to cover themselves in those lies. This man said himself that he liked to wander far and wide around the land. He said he didn't want to be pinned down by anyone. He said that he let go of the woman of his life because he simply didn't want to abandon the wide land. This man, Thorin despised, but now he was going to put Thorin to death with a few words of his. Walking over from that left hand path and now standing in the moonlight, was the man that Thorin and Kili saw that night in the forest. That man from the South. That man who was said to grow attachment with a girl and was compelled to lead his company through a more perilous route. That man, Emroy of Escara.
He hadn't changed much, though without his big weapons. There was the small blade he hung on his belt. It was made to suit the taste for exquisiteness, not for battles, but Thorin could see that it was at least of Dwarven origin. The broad blade and the barely visible runes. Seemed like the Elves in the woods weren't all that fond of steal anyway. He was more properly dressed than he was in the woods, and he seemed to be a really good state. He looked at Thorin and Gandalf with a frown and a smile, and then he hastened over to the throne and paid his respect. "My Lord." He said and then stood watching the King and the Queen, he had never seen them so different from what they usually were. The King, as always, was grave with mockery, and the Queen her usual gracefulness, only that they both seemed a bit agitated. Emroy knew not why, but if the reason was this Dwarf and this old men, then they must have been something. Especially the Queen.
Emroy looked now at the unexpected visitor. Emroy thought it quite natural for all the people to stare at someone who just entered the room, but the thing he saw in their eyes were so different that he wondered for what reason really, he was summoned. The eyes of that old man and the Dwarf was grave, even fearful, but there was more alarm in the old one's eyes. The Dwarf, however, wasn't so easy to read. His emotions were all written in his eyes and Emroy saw worry, contempt and...resentment? He had never met him before, but according to the way the Dwarf looked at him, it was as if they had an ugly history. And the old man. Emroy suddenly felt that he shouldn't think that he was just an old man. In appearance, maybe, but he had such an air of nobility that normal man wouldn't possess or the passing of time would have long ago worn away. And he had a staff. The design of it convinced Emroy that it wasn't just a walking stick. He was a wizard. Things were getting better and better. On the other side, the King seemed to be relieved that he came, but Queen Calassë looked as if she was too much intrigued by something else that she didn't really notice his presence. This would be so interesting that Emroy almost thought that their detour in this Forest was worthwhile after all.
They departed indeed the next morning after resting in the shallow part of the woods and went straight southeast, but they didn't go far before they were attacked by a swarm of Orcs. Emroy and his companions fought their way through and winded their way northwards until they came upon Lomenil's dominion. Some of his men were only lightly wounded, but then the guards in the woods already came and they finished off the Orc squad. It wasn't a big squad, but Emroy was confused that the Orcs should go this far in the land. The northern climate agreed with them and the Misty Mountains in the East would provide them shelter and lairs, but in this part of the country? Even a traveler like Emroy was curious about their driving force. Then the Elves invited the company to go and join the King, Emroy's friend, and to relieve their burden, took away most of their heavy weapon. "I thought I could keep this one," Emroy tightened his grip on the hilt of that small letter-opener but a smile was effusing on his face. "It can barely cut my finger. Besides, I'm afraid that it would get lost in those big ones." Emroy nodded to the other weapons and gave a wink. The guard was not too happy about this, but it was small even for an Elf's standard, so with a tight but courteous smile, Emroy was allowed to keep that. Lomenil and Emroy knew each other for quite a history and that was during the earlier years of Emroy when he was less concerned about his safety than about the excitement of the wild land. He came across the land by accident and was taken by the guards, but Lomenil had let him go and even established what would remotely resemble friendship with this human. But Emroy never really trusted the Elves, let alone dark ones like those he saw in the middle of nowhere. He was more than a little bit reluctant when re-entering this land, but he had no choice.
"My lord, how can I be of assistance?" he asked politely, not wanting this embarrassing staring and guessing to continue. When he asked this, he also noticed that figure which Thorin took notice a short while ago. Emroy couldn't help smiling when he identified that whom that lean figure belonged to. Of course she had to be here when such an interesting thing happened.
Lomenil looked at his guests once more, "My friend, this is our new guests, who I'm sure the guards must have told you about. Allow me." Lomenil stood up and walked to the table and Thorin instantly was on his feet. "Thorin Oakenshield, leader of the new company, our guests from the west going east to visit trading company there." Thorin and Gandalf should be glad that the moonlight was casting everything in a silver glimmer, or Lomenil would see the ashen but then a little bit red face of Emroy. Luckily for Thorin, Emroy too was a man of control and though he felt his world swirling and his heart pounding wildly, he didn't let it show. Though a word was too strong for him to remain in his throat and he couldn't help a gasp, "Thorin." this earned a sharp and alarmed gaze from Thorin and though Gandalf didn't do such thing to attract the attention of Lomenil, he felt his heart contracted and his body ready to fight.
"I have a poor knowledge of what is not within my control of realm, "Lomenil said, but that obvious sense of pride betrayed his true nature. "But you, my friend, is a well traveled man and thus, may shed some light as for our new visitor."His voice was quiet but full of triumph and suspicion. "Now, my friend, what did your experience tell you as about our friend."
Emroy was looking at Thorin with disbelief and he hardly registered what Lomenil was saying. He couldn't believe it. It was like watching the stories come to life and you yourself walking into the story. Emroy was curious about the history and peoples, and since he was young he heard tales about Dwarves and Elves, and a particular one named Thorin. Those stories were for the most part no more than nonsense from the blurry mind of wanderers, and he only gathered enough pieces of information to form the whole probable story. He had heard there was a Dwarf warrior of royal blood traveling westward and dwelling in the mountains somewhere. And he had heard about the history of his coming from a Lonely Mountain in the East. Could it be real that this Dwarf Prince was standing right in front of him? Even if that was true, he was concealing it, for Lomenil detected something suspicious without really knowing what was wrong. Even the most perspicacious Queen didn't warn her king. Emroy marveled now at the extent of ignorance of these people.
Emroy looked at Thorin and the King for a long time with inner battles. He could tell the King that they were lying about their identities and traveling was not the usual errand for another king. He looked at Thorin's expression and with a frown on his brows, smiled as if sharing a private joke with this serious warrior. Thorin was ready, to fight and to die. This was how everything was going to end. With one word, with a negative confirmation the Elves would surely cut his throat and kill all his companions. He would not only fail his father and grandfather, but also Dis, his people at home, and his kinsmen who traveled to the southern halls only to find out that their host was killed already.
"No, my lord," Emroy finally broke the silence and the atmosphere was like a pinned balloon and all the expectations were no more. Lomenil was not pleased. He had a disturbing feeling in him and he hated to be proven over-reacted. Calassë was not watching Thorin anymore. She was watching Emroy with interest in her eyes. Emroy was not telling the entire truth, but he concealed it well. Not that Calassë couldn't detect anything. This piqued her interest even more. She knew this Dwarf was not some random one, and she was further convinced so when Emroy, who was usually an honest man, denied to give further knowledge. "I have not heard of his name, but it is true the Dwarves have trading business over the land." he paused, tearing his eyes off the curious Dwarf, Emroy again looked at Lomenil and lowered his voice, "Our guests were true and honest about the home, my Lord."
Lomenil nodded rigidly and his face was almost twisted unnaturally. "Very well, just as I would wished for. Come, let us take more refreshment before Iordir guides you to your resting chamber." Lomenil mentioned to the Elf beside and after a short while, trays of goblets and wine were brought on the table and Lomenil raised his wine in an absent-minded manner before drinking slowly and began conversation with his guests.
Thorin was confused. Why did this stranger did this for him? Thorin had no doubt that this man knew about them, and according to that astonished look he gave him, he knew very well about what had befallen on the Dwarves and the ridiculousness of their explanation that they were plainly visitors and traders. He probably knew about their history and their glory in the Lonely Mountain. But he said nothing. Thorin was drinking out of manners, but his mind was full and busy in finding a reason that he barely notice the flavor of the Elvish wine. However, he saw that the Man was ever since staring at him, only raised his head once or twice to answer the king. Emroy had a curious gaze, and Thorin could read his hidden message: Were you really Thorin? Why were you concealing about your identity. What exactly were you up to? But Thorin didn't say anything to Emroy.
Now Thorin caught that glimpse of the figure he saw earlier. She had obviously stepped more into the light and now Thorin could see her appearance clearly. It was an Elvish maiden, with youth still radiating through her being and still immune to the sadness of the passing of ages. Thorin couldn't judge whether she was beautiful, for he was neither used to nor keen on being in contact with She-elves and he wondered whether he should employ the Elvish standard to view all their things. And it had been a long time since Thorin last complimented any lady of her beauty. In fact, Thorin didn't recall ever having done such a thing. There weren't enough women among all Dwarves already and it would be a lavish thing to try and find a beauty. Did Dwarves even have a standard for beautiful Dwarven women? Thorin didn't know, but right now this woman(or girl, which would seem to fit her age more properly.) was probably considered so in this forest. There was an air about her that Thorin thought he could look at with respect and interest.
She was of the average Elf height and though not outstandingly thin, seemed fit and capable. She was still not near the party and made no attempt to come closer. Thorin knew she was looking at him and he was quite convinced that even if the King was lied to by Emroy's strange words, this maiden wasn't impressed all that much. Her eyes were shining pale and her face was expressionless. She looked more like a guard than a music maiden, with the dark garment that much resembled Terion's tightly around her torsel. Her lips were tightly pressed and Thorin noticed her way of standing: upright like an arrow filled with pride and surety. Her head was lowered in a humble manner, but Thorin knew then she was not just any random Elf.
The refreshment taking was soon over and Lomenil sent his guests to rest. Thorin and Gandalf was leaving together when Lomenil said with a rather curious and amused smile in his voice: "my guest, we would treat you with our best hospitality possible and we would not be mean about chambers." his words were soft and gentle, but Thorin knew the instant he opened his mouth that this was just a poor and unnecessary excuse to separate his prisoners in case of their plots. Gandalf was led away from the stairs they came by, but Thorin was led by another into the higher place through another set of intricate stairs. The Elves were moving through with swiftness and absolute silence, and the woods seemed to echo with only the Dwarvish metal boots. The guard would looked back at Thorin and led on, urging him when Thorin tarried too long looking down over the hand rail. There was a labyrinth out there. Thorin was not rested with his company and he tried to ask for their information with no result.
"Go along this bridge and you are in your chamber." the guard said and left. Thorin was left on one of the platforms connected by a string bridge. There was an Elvish chamber on the other platform. It was inlaid within the tree bough and the stems winded around to hug the chamber safely in their embrace. Thorin looked back at the place his Elf guide disappeared. All sounds of living things died down. The power of the wine was finally getting on to him that Thorin thought all around him was glowing and illuminated. The slender Elvish lanterns hung over the entrance and gave off a pale light. Stairs winded around the tree, leading to the chamber.
This was not the place to stay. Thorin wanted to know what Gandalf really knew about these creatures and depending on the knowing look that Gandalf gave when they parted in front of Lomenil, Thorin would rather believe he had some ideas already. He sighed. Whatever he had to do, it was not for tonight. Thorin looked at the way out once more and headed down the bridge.
Just then, a flash was in front of him. Thorin thought he was hallucinating, but he stepped back and he immediately drew out the knife that he hid in his cloak. The blade darted forward against that blur instantly and that cut would be really ugly if it hit anything. But no, no blood was spilled. But the threat was still there. Thorin clenched his teeth and that hatred was upon him again. So they planned to kill him here? They planned to clear their land of any others in such a despicable manner? That blur, Thorin now recognized, was an Elf, one with incredible agility. The Elf leaped back to avoid Thorin's blow and jumped up and caught the branch of a tree. The Elf swung around the branch and landed behind Thorin without a sound. Thorin swung around and thrust his knife forward again. This time the Elf took off the bow he hung on his back and used it to defend and attack. His moves were clear, and though his blow wasn't powerful enough to contend with Thorin, his long bow rendered him such advantage that Thorin soon found his knife a little bit out of use.
Thorin cursed in his heart when the Elf wouldn't directly contend with him. He felt that the Elf was always looking for shortcuts and tricks to bring him down. "Who are you?" Thorin growled the words and broke free from the Elf's bow. He was too busy fighting that he didn't notice earlier that the Elf was veiled. His nose and all the face below was hidden behind black veil and his slightly curled locks streamed down. Between the hair and veil, Thorin saw a pair of eyes burning ice and fire. " Who are you!" Thorin said again, this time with more authority and viciousness. No answer. The archer attacked again, but he only leaped over the branches and stood steadily like a statue. They stayed silent for a moment before the Elf moved his hand to his left ear to take off the veil. The veil was dropped and behind that, was a perfect, knowing and mysterious smile. Thorin realized his mistake and the confusion which had been accumulating in his heart reached a point he didn't think was possible. It was not a he, but a she. Standing there with her slender bow was the Elf maiden Thorin saw hiding in the shadow during the King's interrogation. "Who the hell are you?" Thorin half breathed half growled. The Elf heeded him not. Instead, that perfect smile on her face grew even wider and her eyes were glowing her exultation. "So, a trading man?"
Author: so, a merchant? If Emroy covered for Thorin's company, who was this person so ready to expose their identity? Find out more in the next chapter! Thank you all for reading and please let me know what you think about this!