Chapter 13
I had not flown in weeks; I almost forgot how lovely it is. I flew non-stop over the rest of Mirkwood, I did not want risk my safety again. I flew over the river that the dwarfs had taken all the way to Lake Town.
It was a bleak town, with little color. It was very dull in comparison to what I was used to in Rivendell and Coren. I saw many buildings and a large gate as I flew over. No one had spotted me yet and I intended to keep it that way.
Coppa and I landed in a nearby grassy area and walked on foot towards the city.
"Stay here! They would kill you on the spot, hide on the edge of the forest." I order protectively as I slide off his back.
"As you wish, Rena" Coppa said thumping over towards the forest.
The dark wooden gate loomed ominously above me as I knocked on the gate keeper's panel. A haggard old man gently slid opens the window and sneered at me.
"State your business!" he snarled at me
"I am a member in the company of Thorin Oakenshield. I believe he is lodging in this city." I say in rather stately way.
"One moment miss, I must ask my advisor if I should let you in" the man said slamming the panel shut.
I sigh impatiently as I am forced to wait for the old man to return.
He returned shortly accompanied by a younger stronger man with a long bow on his back. He wore simple brown clothes and had bits of scruff on his chin.
"State your name! He tells me that you claim to be a member of Thorin Oakenshield's company." he demands crossing his arms across his chest.
"I do not give my name to someone of whom I am unacquainted" I say proudly staring at him dead in the eye.
He rolled his eyes and chuckled.
"Alright! My name is Bard. Now, tell me yours" he said
"My name is Morena Sevenstreams; I wish to see my friends, if it is not too much trouble?" I say sarcastically.
"You've got some spirit!" he said laughing at me. "you may come with me, I will take you to the dwarfs, but only they will tell if you are lying or not."
He pushed the gate open, leaving a little space for me to squeeze through.
"Thank you," I say politely as I step into the dreary city.
"Come! This way Miss Sevenstreams" Bard said leading me up a street towards a large building that was brightly illuminated and sounds of feasting could be heard from where we stood.
"You are just in time for the first of two feasts in honor of your friends. Tomorrow, we will have the second feast and minstrels will play for the dancing. If you are in fact who you say you are, and then you may come along as well" he said as we approached the large building. "Wait here, I will announce you" he said walking into the hall.
"No! There is no need. Don't trouble yourself" I protest trying to stop him from drawing too much attention to myself.
But my words fell on deaf ears, because he shouted across the room for everyone to hear.
"May I present a Miss Morena Sevenstreams. Loyal friend of Thorin Oakenshield"
I felt heat rising to my face as the large doors were open and everyone was staring at me.
I held my head high as I strode across the room towards Thorin, who was occupied by a group of women of all shapes in sizes who all stopped and glared at me. He was surrounded by trays of food and the rest of his men were seated at long tables like the rest of the village. The master of lake town was sitting next to Thorin chuckling.
His eyes were wide open as he quickly gulped down some ale.
"Rena! Welcome!" he shouted rising to his feet.
He looked surprised to see me, which was strange.
"Thank you, I am glad to see that you escaped safely. I left soon after" I said flatly
"Yes, Bilbo was quite sneaky! Thank you master Bard for bringing my friend in safely, but where is Coppa? Did he leave with you? "Thorin asked puzzled by Coppa's absence.
"Yes, but he is waiting for me on the edge of the forest, because I feared for his safety." I answered back softly.
"Do not worry, I have told the master of Lake town that you had a dragon and that if they saw Coppa flying above that they should not shoot him down." he said resuming his seat.
"Thank you, that was thoughtful, but now I would like to have something to eat. I am quite hungry." I say as Fíli excitedly pulled out a chair for me beside him.
"Have your Fill Miss Sevenstreams" the master of lake town said happily sipping at his ale.
I took my seat in-between Fíli and Kíli as servants placed delicious plates of food and bowls of different soups in front of me.
The smell was intoxicating. I helped myself to whatever I wanted and drank my fill of watered down wine. I had no wish to get drunk.
"It's good to have you back Rena" Kíli said clapping a hand on my shoulder.
"Thank you, I am glad to be back" I say happily. "Tell me of your escape and Bilbo's plan"
I desperately tried to stay interested in the story but my eyes were constantly wandering across to Thorin.
The women still sat near him laughing, giggling, and handing him food. But, he seemed all too interested. It was disgusting. But, what right did I have to be disgusted. We were not together, he was a free man and I was a free women. We could do as we pleased.
"Isn't that right Rena" Kíli asks me breaking my train of thought.
"Oh, yes very much so" I say but I feel guilty because I did not know what he had asked.
After that I did my best not to look at Thorin and actually pay attention to what was being said.
The dinner finished and all of us walked towards the foyer.
"We are staying in a huge house on the other side of the village and you are expected to stay there too" Fíli informs me as Kíli helps me put on my cloak. (Which was Thorin's but neither of them said anything)
"Okay, but is there space for Coppa outside." I ask the boys.
"Yes, there is in fact a large stable he can sleep in" Fíli says as he opens up the door to the street.
"Miss Sevenstreams! Wait!" Bard shouts across the foyer as he approaches us. "May I have a word privately" he says glancing at Fíli and Kíli
I nod and shoo the boys outside and close the door behind them.
"You wanted to speak with me" I say addressing the man.
"Yes, I wanted to apologize for being so rough with you earlier, I was expecting someone a little less attractive and I thought you would bring your dragon to the gate too. But... What I really wanted to ask you was if you would attend the feast tomorrow as my personal guest and that you would save a few dances for me." he says as he rubs his hand on the back of his neck with a sheepish grin.
"I...I think that I would enjoy that." I say timidly walking towards the door.
"Excellent, then I shall come to your house at twilight" he says opening the door for me.
"Alright, till tomorrow then Sir Bard" I say as we step outside where Fíli and Kíli are waiting.
"Till tomorrow" he says as he bows and walks away.
"What was that about?" Fíli says chuckling and smiling.
"Oh, nothing. Common let's go get some rest" I say.
I was not going to tell them about my date because they would probably tease me to death.
We walked along the dark streets towards a large house with tall columns. Each window had a single candle illuminating its window pane. It looked lavishly cozy. Kíli hung up my coat when we entered and the house was very quiet, I assumed that all the others were sleeping.
"Thank you Kíli, I think I should call Coppa, he is waiting for me." I tell him as I walk out into the star lit darkness.
The warm summer heat still lingered in the air and the water of the lake reflected the flickering glow of the fire flies while the frogs croaked on the lily pads. I tuck my feet beneath me as I sit on the cool green grass.
"Coppa, can you hear me?" I ask " I have reconnected with the group, we have food and lodging at a large house. Come and rest" I tell him as I lay back on the soft ground.
"On my way Rena" he says as I begin to wait for my friend.
I curl my hand under my head to give support and close my eyes.
"Rena! Are you out here?"
I shoot upright and look around.
Thorin was leaning against a post on the porch with a closed lip smile on his face; I did not hear him sneak up on me.
"Yes, Thorin shouldn't you be in bed?" I chuckle as I rise to my feet and walk across the yard.
"Yes, but when I heard you and the boys come home I wanted to speak to you." he says stepping down on to the grass, so that we could be face to face.
"Oh, what about?" I ask him innocently.
He looked down subtly and gently picked up my hand in his.
"Would you attend the feast tomorrow as my personal guest?" he whispers softly.
"Oh, Thorin. I can't" I say quickly and his face turns from surprise to anger, I felt sad knowing I hurt him "I would but somebody has already asked me."
"What! Who? Fíli or Kíli, why I ought to..." he shouts angrily at me but I interrupt him before he can finish.
"Bard, a man of the village. He asked me and I said "yes" "I say flatly putting my hands out defensively.
"You don't know him! Why would you say yes!" he continues to shout at me.
"Because I did not think anyone else would ask!" I shout back with my hands on my hips.
"What! Of course I was going to ask you, who else." he says angrily
"Oh, I don't know, one of your little lady friends that occupied so much of your time tonight." I say arrogantly.
He takes a step back and he looks confused.
"I can't fraternize with a few women but you can practically throw yourself at an elvish prince." he says angrily storming towards the door.
"You don't even know half of the story! I was weak and he offered to carry me! I would have gone with you! But next time pluck up the courage to ask me first before somebody else does!" I shout back then storm away towards the stable. "Good Night!" I shout at him just as I slam the door rattling on its hinges.
Why was he so stubborn! Ugh! He infuriates me! I am glad he decided to go back inside because had no wish to continue bickering with him. He took everything so personally; he attacked like I belonged to him.
"Rena are you alright" I heard Coppa ask as he comes from the shadows.
"Yes, but when did you get here, I did not see you fly in." I say as he nuzzles my palm.
"A few moments ago, you were preoccupied but the real question is what were the two of you fighting about?" he says as he sits on the straw covered floor.
"Thorin and I had a little misunderstanding that is all." I say as I take off his saddle and our packs. "You must be starving...I think I have some leftover elk in my pack, if you don't mind that it's raw." I said changing the subject.
Coppa loved food as much as any dwarf, if not more
"I am not picky, as long as there are no maggots" he teased as I unwrap the meat.
"There you go boy, make sure you go right to bed when you are finished." I say in a motherly way and kiss the top of his head. "Good night boy" I say turning to leave the stable.
"Good night Rena" he says in-between mouthfuls of meat.