AN/ sorry for the weaker chapter before, I'd blame my cold but really it was rushed. Might revisit and perfect another time. I wanted to cut it off there so I could give more focus to the scene at the end of this chapter. I don't own anything. Enjoy and review.
MyrenBritanika-I agree and thanks, hope this one is better :)
Outofthisworldgal- haha thanks. Yeah I felt I should make it clear that although they both fight all the time they do in fact love each other, not despise one another as the constant squabbles would imply haha
Kathalla- Thank you so much :) Glad you like it that much Haha well here's the next chap so enjoy!
ThatOtherWriterGirl- haha thanks for your comments on the escape earlier I was a tad worried about it :/ yeah I felt it Dwalin was due for a meltdown with all that was happening! Also thanks for the review in the last chapter I do appreciate getting opinions and thoughts at each chapter it helps me write!
Fraylin waited…
…and waited.
Her eyes were squeezed shut while she covered Thorin's body preparing to take the attack of the ambushing warg. Thorin had already been smacked in the face with a gigantic paw, had his face smashed in by Azog's enormous mace then bitten and thrown about like a rag doll by the same warg. It was fair to say he had taken quite enough in these last few minutes, he was barely breathing as he lay unconscious and Fraylin was determined to protect him from further injury. She only suffered the slice in her arm and between the pair was in the fitter state to survive another wound. She wasn't entire sure Thorin was going to survive his as they currently were.
There was one problem in this sacrificing bravado plan…the warg wasn't biting-not just metaphorically but physically. Fraylin hadn't heard any of the company coming to their rescue nor had the beasts released any dying screams into the air. 'Would it be safe to peek?' Fraylin questioned 'Oh yeah because burying your face in a man's chest so you're unaware of your present surroundings after last you saw were two massive flesh-eating creatures were advancing was really safe' the sarcastic part of Fraylin retorted dryly.
Carefully she propped her head sideways and glanced to her north-west position. They were gone. She scrunched her face in confusion as she raised her torso off of Thorin. Where could they have gotten to? They wouldn't have abandoned such easy pray and their corpses aren't here. Where are they? She continued to ponder as frantically searched about her. 'Never thought I'd be doing that, actively looking for wargs' she snorted internally. Then she saw them.
10ft from the ground imprisoned within large talons were both of the snarling wargs. The huge eagle proceeded to give those foul creatures their own chance at flying…solo…down the pitch black cliff side. One term that accurately described Fraylin at that precise moment would be stunned, after all a giant bird of prey swooping down and saving you from hungry growling wargs by throwing them off a cliff sounds like something she should have hallucinated when Oin drugged her at Rivendell. As if feeling the need to justify this bewildering sight as reality more colossal eagles appeared, piercing screeches announced their arrival, gliding through the flames and tearing apart the other wargs that were assaulting the company.
As the eagles fought the defenceless orcs, they tugged a tree down crushing two wargs in the process, however all Fraylin focused on was the short distance between the wooden weight and how close her Adad had been to it. Worst still due to the growing fire she couldn't make out him imposing figure through the smoke.
"ADAD!" Fraylin called worriedly scouring the land before her for his broad stature. Torn between ensuring her father's well-being and guarding Thorin's unconscious form Fay was stood a few steps away from her king when she yelled once more panic dripping into her voice, "ADAD?!"
"I'm alright Fay!" His reassuring boom replied through the blinding fumes sending relief flooding throughout her body only for it to be speedily dismissed when one of the feathered birds dived down to Thorin. Eyes widening in fear Fraylin sprinted back attempting to halt the eagle,
"No wait, stop. He's not an orc! Please he's our king." The eagle ignored her as it hovered over him, "NO LEAVE HIM! You can't throw him ov-" however the care and gentleness this bird took when lifting Thorin ceased Fraylin's protests. Carefully picking the downed leader, delicately avoiding stabbing him with its sharp claws, the eagle flew smoothly away from the danger Azog was raining down on the cliff edge. Before they crossed off the land Thorin's shield, his legendary oaken branch for which he was named after symbolically slid from his limp arm and clattered to the stone underneath, the thunk of the wood echoing loudly in Fraylin's ears despite the battle going on around her.
'No.' Fraylin decided, 'He is not dead, he hasn't fallen so this shield is not done with service yet' approaching the ancient oak and securing it in her right arm, it was too heavy to be supported by her left. Armed with the fabled guard Fraylin assessed the ever-changing scene.
Back at the slanted pine the company all hid and dangled from Gandalf remained at its peak, his staff no longer being used to keep Dori and Ori from falling, the old wizard observed the battle ensuring all the company were well and that none of the eagles had missed them. Next to be air-lifted since Thorin was Bilbo, Balin and a reluctant Dwalin. His hesitancy stemmed from being grappled, dropped and caught by things he had no trust or control over and the fact he was being rescued before his child, in his heart it was a small stab of betrayal, abandonment and failure he hadn't ensured her safety first. It seemed all the eagles were aiming for dwarves rather than orcs now as more and more of the company were extracted to safety. By this point Fraylin, the Durin brothers and Gandalf were left. Fili and Kili were charging up the trunk of the tree as Fraylin ran over the scorched earth to join them. The brothers didn't get far up the pine as they were suddenly seized by the same eagle and tossed down onto the back of another.
Fraylin began to fret for the pine she was dashing to was rapidly slipping as its roots were freed from the confines of the rumbling soil with Gandalf included! Except she was too late when she finally arrived at the tree it's feet were too high out of the ground for Fay to climb on and the pine descended into the darkness below.
"GANDALF!" she cried in horror as she witnessed the grey cloth leap from the tree and fortunately land on an awaiting bird resulting in the lady releasing a sigh of relief. Then the situation she found herself in struck her.
Hesitantly turning around to face the lingering orc pack, Azog as their point, she chewed her bottom lip and let out a nervous laugh. 'Crap crap crap crap crap crap crap' she swore. Azog had a sickening smirk as his white warg slowly stepped towards her. Movement in the bottom right corner of her eye captured her attention. It was an eagle yet there wasn't an accompanying one to snatch her up and deposit her onto it. 'Great, I'm Gandalf-ing it then'. Shuffling nearer to the edge Fraylin's heels overhung slightly when she could retreat no further, but the eagle still wasn't in prime position yet.
Chuckling uneasily she began, "Funny story…so a dwarf walks into a tavern" however the orcs were deprived of the completed joke when Fay swan-dived off, screaming as she went praying to land on an eagle.
It was official Dwalin did not like flying. He did not like being more than 10ft off the ground. Additionally he did not like riding eagles he had no control over. Grasping the feathers around its neck firmly yet not too tight the warrior closed his eyes to block out all reminders that he was not on solid ground. 'Happy place happy place' he repeated to himself. An anxious cry broke him from his mantra,
"THORIN!" Fili shouted fear evident in his tone as his uncle still had not awoken since his fight with Azog. The vile orc who had slain most of his kin and it currently looked like he had added another death of Durin to his list.
Dwalin stared at his leader, praying beyond all hope he was okay. They could not complete this quest without him. Fili was raised to be his replacement but he was young and not fully prepared yet, to place such a burden on his shoulders would be too much. Kili would be inconsolable at the loss of his uncle, idol and sole father figure having never met his own. Poor Fraylin would be heart-broken, drowning in her own guilt and grief. Then it occurred to the protective father his daughter had been with Thorin. He'd seen her cradle Thorin's body and call out for him when that tree fell yet she was not on the eagle carrying the king. Pinching his eyebrows together Dwalin faced his brother,
"Balin!" he yelled clearly to gather his attention, "Can you see Fay?" The warrior was getting damn tired of worrying about his daughter, she had nearly died or thought to be dead too often on this quest for his liking. Balin shook his head as he replied,
"No, when last I saw her she was tending to Thorin. I thought she was riding with you" a hint of concern slipping into his speech. The level of stress his niece had put them through it was a miracle his brother and himself had not suffered a heart attack. Dwalin gulped fearfully and opened his mouth preparing to bellow her name when,
"AAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDD!"
A voice screamed from behind them a tremble of fear vibrating in it. It was Fay. Violently whirling his head around to find the source of her cry he answered,
"FRAYLIN, WHERE ARE YOU?"
Concluding her father was fine Fraylin yelled much calmer with an undertone of nervousness,
"I'm like 100ft of the ground, and turns out I really really don't like heights." Causing a bemused snort to escape her uncle. On the other hand her father buried his face in his palm grumbling,
"Never again, never again will I have another daughter. One is stressful enough. 'sons are trouble' my ass, dwarf who said that clearly didn't have a daughter." Adding to his brother's amusement.
The rest of the flight passed silently each member of the company scrutinizing Thorin's still body. The eagle Fraylin was riding had eventually caught up allowing her father to relax slightly. Thorin was deposited first atop a great stone peak overlooking the surrounding woods and rivers. The dwarf king didn't react as he was placed gently down, merely rolling onto his back with his limp limbs dropping beside him. Gandalf promptly followed, kneeling next to the battered leader, he rested a shaky palm over his head and muttered some ancient incantation.
Dwalin assisted Fraylin off her feathered ride spotting Thorin's shield in her right arm,
"Is that what you missed your first eagle for?" he questioned astonished nodding in the direction of the oaken branch. Fraylin's shy smile told him all he needed to know. She had nearly been abandoned and slaughtered by Azog…for a twig. It could only happen to his child. Moaning as he grabbed her waist, "Girl one day you're going to kill me". Unfazed Fraylin quipped back with a teasing grin,
"Well that'd be an achievement. The noble and strong warrior Dwalin, son of Fundin, slain by young lady". Fay was rewarded with a fond smile and an affectionate shake of his head as he led them back to Thorin's unconscious body. Gandalf's spell was taking effect as the king opened his eyes.
"The halfling" he whispered. The wizard smiled in his success and quickly assured the leader,
"It's alright. Bilbo is here, he's quite safe"
Dwalin and Fili stepped forth and helped Thorin to his feet, once standing Thorin shrugged away their hands. He was not one to show weakness and it was bad enough he needed others to get up. Tiring and painful breaths shook his body.
"You!" he spat harshly to Bilbo causing the hobbit's happy grin to dwindle into a saddened expression at Thorin's apparent disappointment. Thorin scowled as he approached Bilbo as fast as he could in his state. "What were you doing? You nearly got yourself killed. Did I not say you'd be a burden? That you would not survive in the wild. That you had no place amongst us."
Amid the company Dwalin saw Fraylin shake her head disapprovingly lifting her leg readying herself for a battle muttering "Oh ho no he doesn't". His hand on her shoulder stopped her causing her to widen her eyes at him in a 'you aren't seriously going to let him get away with that' expression. The soldier simply winked, raised his eyebrows and quietly suggested,
"Wait for it"
A deep rumbling drew their focus back to Thorin and Bilbo
"I have never been so wrong in all my life" their king confessed pulling a dumbfounded Bilbo into an engulfing embrace. The company clapped and cheered at Thorin's final acceptance of the hobbit. They had bonded with the halfling since the handkerchief incident and Thorin's hostility to the Shireling had affected the company dynamic and caused swells of guilt at not shielding him from Thorin's unfair temper, well apart from Fay. However Fraylin had her jaw on the floor, her surprise clearly evident as she blinked rapidly trying to understand the situation. Laughing heartily Dwalin joked "Plot twist" shaking her slightly from her stupor.
"I think I'm dead because there is no way that Thorin, our beloved angry leader, is hugging Bilbo right now" she denied astonished. Spinning her head to face him she accused, "You knew! How?"
"Please Fay give your old man some credit, I've known the lad for more than a century" the warrior responded smiling as he tucked her under his arm letting her head rest contentedly on his shoulder while they observed the scene before them.
"I am sorry I doubted you." The gravelly rumble of Thorin's voice apologized once he and Bilbo left the embrace.
"No I would have doubted me too. I'm not a hero…or a warrior. Not even a burglar." Bilbo defended the king's previously cold behaviour to his presence. There was silence as he watched the eagles leave them however the dwarves and Gandalf's gaze lay elsewhere. Turning to see what had captured their attention Bilbo enquired,
"Is that…what I think it is?"
Gandalf stepped behind the awe-struck hobbit and declared,
"Erebor, the Lonely Mountain. The last of the great dwarven kingdoms of middle earth."
"Our home" Thorin elaborated softly before smiling to Bilbo in reference to his moving speech when they escaped Goblintown. The twittering of a bird flying past them drew their focus.
"A Raven! The birds are returning to the mountain!" Oin delightedly exclaimed while it flew further from them towards the solitary peak and the golden horizon.
"That my dear Oin is a thrush" the travelling wizard corrected.
"Well we'll take it as a sign, a good omen" Thorin decided instilling hope into the tired and exhausted company who had faced such trials and tribulations these past few days.
"You're right. I do believe the worst is behind us" Bilbo concurred.
No one uttered a sound for a while until they slowly started shift about on the Carrock and check if everything that was in their packs were still there of if the goblins had emptied them out completely. Oin was tending to Thorin's torso while his nephews flanked him anxiously, constantly checking if he was in any pain at all, much to elder's annoyance. Fraylin was beside her father staring at Erebor. The comfortable silence surrounding them was broken when she gently asked,
Adad, do you-…do you think it's still there or-or do you think Smaug will have…have d-d-you know?" the optimism in her voice was hidden beneath the saddened despair that the dragon would have destroyed the room she longed to see. Although Fraylin was in the Blue Mountains, both her parents were born and raised in Erebor. One of the reasons she was really wanted to reclaim Erebor was to see her mother's chambers. Examine her life there. What was left of her childhood? Were there any portraits of her mother and her kin? Did she keep a diary? Were her father's courtship gifts still there? Fraylin just wanted a piece of her mother.
Dwalin completing her vague question in his mind responded delicately, "I don't know sweetheart. I hope it remains". Sensing this was all she was going to get from her Adad on the matter Fraylin sighed and snuggled closer to him accidentally jabbing his stomach with a familiar shield. Dwalin raised his eyebrows at her.
"You should talk to him you know" he suggested kindly. Fraylin sighed sadly,
"I know…but what can I do father? I mean…you're much closer to him than I. What am I supposed to say? Thorin found out for certain his father is dead and he heard it from the murderer himself."
"I wasn't referring to him….though he might appreciate his shield back." Fraylin stared confusedly at the warrior, now for the hard part. "I was referring to Fili. The poor lad is tearing himself apart trying to work out what to do. Even I feel sorry for him. Look Fay…I may not like it but it is simply a fact that that boy is infatuated with you. And after that idiotic stunt you pulled in Goblintown I know you feel the same so talk." Fraylin stuttered incomprehensively trying to protest,
"But-…I… he….it's not that easy. You can't just walk up to someone and say I love you"
"I love you. There easy. Next point" Dwalin deadpanned. Making Fraylin blush as she choked out,
"I- uh- we're on a quest! We don't time for something like this! I thought you of all people wouldn't want anyone courting me!" she argued back.
"I wouldn't want anyone courting you?" He repeated incredulously, "Look Fay I recognise that I am the over-protective and over bearing father here… however it doesn't mean I don't want you to be happy or have a family. What kind of dad would I be if I sentenced you to a life alone? I just don't want you to have to suffer morons" Fraylin snorted sceptically, Dwalin merely gave her his best 'I'm your father I know everything' look before continuing, "You don't have to tell him you're in love with him, but if there is one thing I regret with your mother it's that I didn't confess earlier…if I had we'd have had more memories to treasure."
Fraylin groaned and placed her head against his shoulder once more,
"Why are you always right?...I best head over there I suppose." The lady removed herself from her father's loving embrace and straightened her back steeling all her courage.
"Oh I love you too by the way" she added as she began to make her way towards the Durin trio. Feeling his daughter's nerves Dwalin quipped
"I don't feckin' blame you" earning a laugh from her.
Fraylin shifted herself to stand before the Durin's sons. Shuffling her feet and twiddling the oaken branch in her hands she shyly stated,
"Erm Thorin…I uh… you dropped this…I erm thought you'd want it back." Thrusting the scarred oak before her she peaked shyly through her lashes to watch Thorin's reaction. 'What if he thought her horrible for keeping it from him since they landed? He is quite possessive of the item, to be fair with valid reason. He wouldn't think she took it for herself would he?' she panicked.
Thorin had previously been checking over his nephews as Oin had left him to examine a cut to Bombur's skull, however since Fay's arrival his focus had been solely on his beloved shield. He assumed he'd lost it on the cliff side when Azog fought him, just adding to list of things torn from his life- his grandfather, brothers and now his father. Yet here Fay was with it. She had made sure that despite her own injury which limited her fighting capabilities as it was, that she carried the heavy log to give it back.
Fraylin was pinching her lip when suddenly a mass engulfed her. Her arms were frozen in the awkward position she held them in while the body pulled her tightly.
"Err Thorin? I don't mean to be rude or anything but um are you uh are you feeling okay?...I mean you realise you're hugging me right? You've already filled your sole hug quota for this decade with Bilbo earlier" she inquired uncertainly causing Fili and Kili to suppress a chuckle by burying their fists in their mouths. Even Thorin's body shook with amusement yet he did not withdraw,
"Yes Fay I am fine. Thank you" he emphasised sincerely. It was daft he knew but that shield was precious to him. At his reassurance Fraylin finally returned the gesture as best should could considering the king's broad build and delicate injuries.
Once free of his hold Fraylin took a deep breath to prepare herself for what she was going to do. Coughing to gather their attention she requested,
"Erm Fili? C-can I um talk to you…for a second? Privately" she added when neither Thorin nor Kili left. Soon though Kili joined the Ur family while Thorin sat beside her father and uncle who rested behind Fili.
"What is it?" he asked in a friendly tone to coax out whatever she was so nervous about, her anxiety was coming off in waves.
"I-I, um. The thing is that- we…I. Err wow this hard." She stuttered, removing her brain-mouth filter she proceeded "really should have thought about this before I came over. Stupid Adad sometimes too smart for his own good. 'Talk to him' well that's easy for him to say he's done this sort of thing before" she started to rant until Fili interrupted.
"Fay…Fay stop. Breathe. Alright? What's the problem?" he calmly instructed hoping to transfer his demeanour to the somewhat deranged lady. The last question though only appeared to agitate her further.
"You! Okay?" she exclaimed. A stab of pain pierced his heart while a hurt expression spread across his face at her words.
"Look Fay whatever I did I'm so-" he launched into his apology despite not know what precisely he had done to offend her.
"No it's not you but it is you" she interrupted gesturing her hands wildly, merely befuddling the prince more. "URGH! Right. I can't function. L-like I have been gradually falling apart since Bag-End a-a-and I don't know anything except that it's your fault despite the fact it's not really a problem" her 'elaboration' stupefied the heir more if possible. Getting into the flow of her thoughts Fraylin spoke faster, "I sit down for dinner and I don't even remember eating! I wash my hair twice because I forget whether I did it the first time round! I can't go anywhere without thinking 'oh what would he think?' then I always know where you are and what you're doing! You're driving me insane. It's like I am haunted by you! You are everywhere! The thought of the Goblinking getting you and harming you in any way fucking petrified-" Dwalin's stern voice interjected at this point,
"Fraylin" he scolded, this was mostly ignored by the lady in question who carried on waving her hands erratically,
"-Fudging petrified me! I was desperate to protect you, I fuc-fecking leapt in the fire for you! And I think it's because…it's because I- what happened to your head?" she asked her tone suddenly changing from a desperately confused and trying to explain one to genuinely curious.
Poor Fili was having a difficult time following this conversation. Fraylin was acting weird. First she made it seem like he was an issue or that he'd done something wrong then she went, to put it accurately, bat-shit crazy talking about washing hair and food. Thorin wasn't lying when he said dwarrowdams are confusing and there is no understanding them. Deciding to answer the sole part of her speech he could comprehend the prince replied,
"Uh a warg clipped me, looks worse than it is. Oin will come by later with a cloth and some bandages"
Fraylin broke out a beaming grin. Fili wouldn't lie, that was not what he had expected from her when he told her he was hurt. In fact this past few minutes Fraylin was not quite…Fraylin.
"You. Are. A. Genius!" she declared happily.
"Ermm thanks?" he offered unsurely as Fraylin dipped her hands into her pocket and brought out her mother's handkerchief a moment later. Pinching one piece of it so it hung like a tent beneath her fingers she held it out to him.
"Here" she stated simply as if it explained her strange performance just now. Fili tried to shrug off his scrape, smiling comfortingly to show how unaffected he was he responded,
"Oh don't worry about it I am fine. I'll stain it if I use that" he reasoned to her. However Fraylin was undeterred. Grasping his hand gently she held the back of it revealing his palm to her and delicately placed the material in it. She uttered softly with an undercurrent of nerves as she slowly shielded the handkerchief with his fingers,
"Fili, son of Vili, son of Durin…I'd be honoured if you would accept this handkerchief as a token of my favour and affection" then lightly kissed his closed fist.
When Fraylin removed all contact from the prince she scrutinized his expression intensely. Biting her bottom lip to stop herself from lashing out for a reaction she waited for him to respond. Thus far Fili stared at his fist, unmoving and unreadable. He wasn't even blinking. To be honest Fraylin wasn't 100% positive he was breathing.
'What if Adad was wrong? What if he doesn't like me like this? I bet he is thinking of how to give it back without offending me. Stupid, stupid girl, what were you thinking?!' she scolded herself mentally. 'Of course he doesn't want it! He's a prince! An heir to Erebor! He could have any dwarrowdam he likes and you think because you're the sole lady on this quest he has to be stuck with you?! Of course he won't want a guard's daughter! We are simply friends nothing more. I'm so stupid!'
They had been stood in silence a while. Fraylin was fidgeting fretfully trying to stay quiet as Fili prepared his reply. He on the other hand hadn't moved. He was frozen staring at the palm that held the fragile and cherished gift as if looking away would cause it to disappear into dust. The tingles her kiss had sparked in him were flowing up and down his spine setting every one of his nerves ablaze. Yet still he hadn't wavered in his amazed gaze. Ultimately the unease and apprehensions got to Fraylin, who offered,
"Look erm you don't have to keep it. I can take it back if you don-"
"NO!" Fili suddenly interrupted his eyes wide as he hid the fist carrying the long-awaited and greatly desired bundle behind his back out of her reach, "no its mine. I accept. It's mine I-I want it." he implored quickly. Losing her favour when she had astonishingly given it to him was not an option. Then it was like the spell trapping him was broken as a blinding grin blanketed his features and a breathy laugh escaped him, "Thank you" in his euphoria stepped to hug her but she halted his actions,
"Wait don't! Adad is glaring holes in the back of your head right now and I think if you touch me he'll castrate you" Fraylin explained to a paling Fili a smile spreading at his acceptance of her token. Fili's elation at finally knowing Fraylin's feelings was too much to contain however resulting in his head lowering to hers.
"Fraylin." Dwalin boomed from behind promptly ended the moment and extinguishing all the inappropriate ideas flowing round the heir's head, "Thorin has a few cuts to his face, perhaps you'd like to help him clear it up?" he 'suggested' not actually looking at Fay but rather scowling to the back of one blonde-haired dwarf that was gradually looking more and more like a target.
"What am I a doctor?" She retorted loudly to her father as she approached, yet she paused in her movements as she stood next to Fili and in a hushed voice uttered, "See. Well good day Fili". Within a second she jumped on her toes, bestowed a chaste kiss on his cheeks and dashed towards Thorin.
"I saw that" the old warrior grumbled when she passed him.
"You were meant to" she sang back teasingly causing her bemused uncle to choke on his chuckles.
Fili was pinned once again by Fraylin, touching his cheek where she had kissed him and goofily smiling down at her handkerchief he didn't notice Kili return.
Fraylin had left Dwalin a short while ago to talk to Fili and his stomach was in knots. 'Mahal daughters were stressful when they grow up. Remember when she'd be delighted to get a new dagger, gem or teddy. Then of course she grows up and it nothing but pretentious douchebags and pompous morons knocking on the door seeking permission to be her suiter and court her. Well I showed them' the experienced soldier complained as he closely inspected the interaction between his daughter and Fili. Poor lad was flustered, he was definitely lost in this 'conversation' if one could call it that, 'oh you have lots to learn young grasshopper, she may look like me but she's Frida through and through' he merrily chuckled at what the prince would have to go through. Every now and then during her freak out he'd catch bit,
"…you in any way fucking petrified"
"Fraylin" he warned, he had tried to stop her cursing so much but it had so far been unsuccessful but when confessing you like someone is not the time to swear at them. He was drawn from his watch when Balin strode up beside him and mocked,
"Doth mine ears deceive me or did you send Fay, our precious Fraylin, my niece, your sole daughter, willingly towards a boy who's obviously infatuated with her?" he wore a shit-eating grin as the father groaned burying his head in his palms,
"Saying it aloud makes me feel sick" Balin barked a laugh as Thorin sat on the other side of Dwalin and comfortingly placed his arm around the grumbling warrior,
"Could be worse" he stated ambiguously like the scenario was obvious. Dwalin turned his head and stared incredulously at his king before arguing,
"How? My only child is going to court someone which eventually leads to marriage which then leads to babies and we all know how that happens. So how could this be worse?" his voiced raised in panic as he went on. Thorin merely shrugged his shoulder unfazed by Dwalin's argument.
"She could be in love with Kili." He retorted the absolute horror of the broad dwarf next to him. Balin was in near tears as he attempted to control his mirth. Even the usually expressionless Thorin had a smile tugging at his lips.
"Not making me feel better!" Dwalin cried. However the silence between Fili and Fraylin called their attention. Fraylin had bestowed her favour and kissed Fili's hand and he had given no response. After a moment or two Thorin enquired so only Balin and Dwalin could hear,
"Is he alive?"
"Why doesn't he respond?" Dwalin asked, anger at the hurt Fay would feel should she be rejected oozing into his voice. Let's just say if that prince didn't give her an answer she liked soon he might not be breathing for much longer. His daughter had faced her fear and confessed her feelings and this lad simply glared at his palm letting her fret and agonisingly await his reply.
"Is he breathing?" Thorin muttered genuinely.
"Perhaps one of us should poke him?" Balin suggested. They were spared the need to answer when a gigantic grin spread across the blondes face.
"Crap." Dwalin cursed.
"Look on the bright side khâzash…Fili still has to ask for permission and we all know what that entails"
An evil smirk covered the previously sulking warrior. Thorin coughed nervously,
"Uh Dwalin I get you need this but uh could you please ensure that by the end of it is still have two nephews?"
Dwalin didn't confirm the fate of Thorin's oldest nephew as he scowled at Fili's head dive,
"Fraylin. Thorin has a few cuts to his face, perhaps you'd like to help him clear it up?"
After Fraylin set about her task and Balin had eventually calmed down the adviser softly whispered to Dwalin,
"Do you remember when Frida gave you that? You were so overjoyed I remember you near flattened Amad in your excitement"
"To be fair I am still surprised she gave it to me considering how we met"
"True, she was a real gem. Fiercest spirit I've ever seen. Put you right in your place…Fay is just like her, looks like you but she's Frida on the inside" he concluded gently. Dwalin smiled but offered no response. His mind had zoned back to all those years ago when Frida marched into his life. She really had changed him for the better.
AN/ there finally! What do we think? I was thinking of detailing Dwalin's flashback there but I think I might start the next chapter with it? What do you guys think? Reviews and thoughts are always welcome. Hope you enjoyed this one.