Chapter 20: A Promise to a King
There was a distant banging that echoed through the house and down the hall to Torvi's room. Someone was at the front door. She peeked out from under her covers to see that the sun was just barely beginning its ascent into the sky. She let out a frustrated groan and buried her head back under her pillow.
"Who in all of middle earth pays a visit this early in the morning!?" Her grumble to herself was muffled by the pillow.
She did her best to ignore the pounding, refusing to be the one to answer the door. Not long after she heard the door of Rorvi's room open followed by his own grumbling and threats of murdering whomever was at the door.
When she heard the front door being opened she had hoped it would be the end to her disturbed morning. But that hope was snuffed out like a candle in the wind the moment she heard her brother explode in annoyance at the person visiting. His out burst to the intruder of the house was followed by her name being called.
"Torvi!"
She let out a groan but quickly checked herself. Maybe they would go away if they thought she was asleep. Rorvi shouted her name again. Again she stayed hidden beneath her covers as she silently prayed for Mahal to let her rest. She heard the front door being shut and sighed in content that her prayer was answered.
Not a moment later her peace of mind was shattered as her door rattled under the forced pounding coming from the other side. She sprang up from beneath her covers looking wide eyed at the door as it threatened to break in half. Her wide eyes quickly squinted as she was blinded by the sudden light as a voice not belonging to her brother called out to her.
"Torvi!"
It was Kili. His annoying chipper and happy voice sang out her name as he knocked loudly on her door.
"Tooorviiiiiii," he sang out again. "Are you awake?"
Torvi let out a groan.
"No." She answered as she let herself fall back as pulled the covers over her face.
"I heard that!" He shouted with another chorus of banging.
The sound of the door being turned and Torvi was grateful she had locked it before going to bed the night before.
"Come on Torvi let me in!" He complained.
The was a sound of Rorvi's door being opened echoed from further down the hall as he let out an irritated groan.
"Torvi!" He shouted. "Open the door so this bastard will shut up and the rest of us can continue sleeping in peace. It's my day off and I need my beauty rest."
His words were finalized as his door slammed shut. Torvi let out another groan as Kili began banging on her door again. It was not until her brother's voice erupted through the walls again, that she moved from her bed. Rorvi was still shouting while Kili continued to bang on the other side of her door when she reached the room. The moment the door swung open she ducked just in time to avoid receiving a fist to the face as Kili went to knock again. Instead of her face, he hit her shoulder causing her to let out a cry of pain.
"Torvi!" Shouted Rorvi from his room. "Would you please keep it..."
"Shut up Rorvi! You could get three years of beauty rest and you would still wake up looking like an ogre!" She shouted back while rubbing her sore shoulder and batting Kili's hands away as he frantically apologized for hitting her.
She expected a response but the light snores coming from her brothers room indicated he had already fallen asleep. She rolled her eyes. It amazed her how easily he could fall asleep. Noting her business with Rorvi was over, she turned to Kili who was grinning at her. Her eyes narrowed but it only seemed to bring more gratification to his face.
"I missed your happy family." He said. "It makes me look forward to the day when our families become connected."
She rolled her eyes before moving across the room to crawl back into bed, leaving Kili alone at the door way.
"What are you doing here? Its early." She complained as Kili closed the door and joined her on the bed.
"I wanted to see if you wanted to go to Dale with me today? We could go first thing this morning and get some breakfast at that bakery off the main road and then maybe go to that book store that you are always looking through but never buying from them..."
Torvi let out a groan and threw a pillow into his face cutting him off.
"Kili just tell me the real reason why you are here." He hugged the pillow and looked at her innocently as she accused him. "Don't give me that look, I am may still be groggy but I am not stupid."
Kili let out a sigh. "Fine. Tauriel is there and it's the only chance I will get to see her for the next few months. She is being sent North on a patrol before the full winter sets in and I needed someone to cover for me while I was gone. So please don't be mad but I really just need you to go and say we were together the entire time. I even invited Bilbo to come so you won't be alone. I know he is not ideal...but I couldn't risk Fili coming because...well...you know why, and I couldn't invite Rorvi because he might blab to..."
His words fell from his mouth in a jumble as he rambled on. Torvi rolled her eyes at his constant flow of words which seemed they would not cease anytime soon.
"Keeeleeee," she whined. "Of course I will go and of course Bilbo is fine and of course I am not mad."
Kili stopped his rant and looked at her, his mouth opened in surprise.
"Oh." He said casually. "Well that's a relief. I wasn't sure on how to slip away without you noticing but this way I don't need to."
Torvi let out a sigh and brought a hand to her face as she shook her head.
"You an idiot," she muttered.
Kili smiled. "And you are an angel for doing this."
Without warning he tackled her in a bear hug. She let out a complaint and pushed him off the bed with a loud thud.
"Let me get dressed and I will meet you at the gates." He grinned at her. "Well hurry up before I change my mind!" She snapped when he did not immediately move from his spot on the floor.
He quickly jumped up from his spot and scurried from the room like a vermin escaping the claws of a predator. As the door slammed she shook her head and rolled her eyes before throwing the covers off of her and began getting dressed.
When Fili woke up with the sun pouring through his window that day he felt better. He felt himself. As he stretched and began to bath for the day he thought of his agenda. He had already gone over it in his head he night before. He had been acting irrational yesterday. He was not himself. He blamed these sudden irrational actions and temper on the fatigue of travel. He had not thought the journey difficult but perhaps he had misjudged his exertion, it was the only explanation for his actions.
Once dressed he began to make his way to the living quarters below. His first item in his list before breakfast was to speak with Torvi. He was tired of their constant spats and wanted this to go back to before he had left to retrieve Bilbo.
When he reached her front door he knocked on the door. When there was no immediate answer he knocked again. Following his third knock the sound of stomping feet and a string of khuzdul curses accompanied the stomping of bare feet. The door swung open to reveal a half asleep and half irritated Rorvi dressed in nothing but a pair of trousers.
"Kili for Mahal's sake you better have a—" he stopped his speech when his blurry eyes recognized that it was not Kili he was was addressing but the dark princes brother. His face quickly softened but only to a certain degree. "Oh Fili! Sorry I bought you were Kili again."
Fili's eyebrows knitted together with a slight confusion. There was something he was missing but he choose to ignore it at the moment. "I was hoping to speak to Torvi, is she home?"
Rorvi let out an exasperated sigh. "Of course you are. She seems to be everyone's item of business today." He shook his head. "Sorry but she is not her. I believe she went into Dale for the morning."
Fili felt his stomach churn as if something inside of him twitched. "With whom?" He said darkly.
Rorvi noticed his quick change in attitude. "Is everything okay?"
"Who did she go with?" Fili asked again, ignoring Rorvi's question of concern.
"With Kili," he said slowly,"and if I remember right they were taking Bilbo with them." He paused, watching his friend closely. "Fili is something—"
"I have to go." Fili quickly cut him off.
As he spoke he quickly turned and began walking away with long purposeful strides. Rorvi was left still standing alone in the doorway with a look of confusion as he watched him depart.
Torvi watched as Kili slipped away from her and Bilbo as they walked through the market. She watched as he happily approached the tall auburn haired woman. He smiled at Tauriel with a joy that Torvi knew she herself could never bring to her best friends face. He truly did love her, Tauriel was truly his one. It didn't make sense, but then again, love did not make sense. As the happy couple snuck off into the shadows to do what only Mahal knew what, she looked back to the small hobbit next to her as she tried not to imagine Kili doing anything with anyone.
The hobbit was happily looking at a display of maps at a stall and had not noticed that Kili had slipped away. When he noticed Torvi watching he looked around for Kili.
"Where did Kili go?" He asked as his head moved around to look at the crowd gathered in the town square.
Torvi shrugged as she looked around as well, pretending she too had just noticed his absence.
"Who knows. It's Kili, I wouldn't worry about him too much he can take care of himself." She realized what she had just said. "Then again," she began with an afterthought. "It is Kili so maybe we should worry about him without supervision."
Bilbo chuckled at her words. He knew all too well that she was correct. He watched the young dwarf as she picked up a book from the stall they were standing at. She flipped through the book, giving it a scrutinizing look as she skimmed its contents. Slowly, a small frown fell on her lips as she seemed dissatisfied with its contents and set it back down with a sigh. She set her eyes on him instead, a cheerful and friendly smile brightening her face as she looked at him.
"Well I guess it is just you and I today." She placed her hands on her hips and gave him an eager look. "Tell me Master Baggins, what would you like to see. Today I will be your personal tour guide of Dale."
As exciting and new it was to hear and listen to Bilbo's version of the fabled tale of Erebor's reclaiming and smaug's defeat, Torvi was distracted. Her attention was zoning in and out of his words as she kept finding her mind wandering to how she would find a way out of the mountain. Leaving through the front gates was no longer an option and Fili had made it clear yesterday that he would not be allowing her out during the night unless possibly in his company. But at the moment, she was avoiding that option. She was still irritated with him. Which left her with the only option of finding another route.
They were walking along the lake now. They paused to stop and look up to the mountain that was reflected on the crystal water that formed the lake. Torvi could not help but admire the majesty of the mountain. Erebor truly was a Kingdom to behold.
"I remember the moment I first stepped foot into Erebor." Commented Bilbo who had seemed to be thinking along the same lines as her. "It was a strange sensation entering into such a massive hollowing, being the first to set foot in decades." He paused as he thought of the memory. "And to think we had almost given up on that door..."
Torvi snapped her attention fully back to Bilbo's words. That was it. There was a door. How could she have forgotten. Her mind raced and before she could make a decision she had intercepted his narration.
"Bilbo, do you remember how to get to the door?" She asked eagerly.
He stalled in his sentence at her interruption. "Then I...huh...oh...yea—yes."
"Could you show it to me?" She asked trying not to seem too eager. "I mean, if it's not too much trouble. I am just trying to learn as much of the mountain as possible."
Bilbo looked at her her curiously. She did her best to look casual.
"I have found a strange enjoyment in wandering the halls and finding its forgotten corners. I just thought..." she trailed off.
"Of course. I would be happy to show it to you. It's just..." he twitched his nose. "Well, it won't be anything exciting. Just a plain wall."
Torvi looked at him in confusion.
"Well the door only becomes visible on Durin's day at the end of the day. Then there is the key that is required...but Durin's day is not far off..." he trailed off as a look of disappointment came to her face. "Is something wrong?"
"You mean the door only opens once a year?" She asked for clarification.
Bilbo nodded. Her shoulders sank. There went that option. Her face fell into a grimace as she thought deeply for another option.
"Torvi are you alright?"
Her green orbs snapped up to his concerned face. His soft brown eyes moved across her face as her gently touched her elbow in concern. She gave him a soft smile.
"Sorry I just thought. I guess I never realized...I just thought." She let out a soft, nervous chuckle. "I just feel silly. I have heard the story a hundred times but just never realized how lucky the company was to accomplish what you did." She clarified.
He shrugged.
"It truly was an adventure to remember." He looked up at the sky. "Its past high noon, we should probably head back and find Kili."
Torvi nodded in agreement and together they made their way up to Dale as they began to speak of the celebrations to come on the fast approaching Durin's day.
He spotted her in a large crowd made up of mostly humans. Only the occasional dwarf or elf were mixed in with the crowd and next to her was the only hobbit within the region. In his journey to Dale, Fili had been able to calm down from the anger he had first felt when he found out Torvi had left the mountain. At least to a certain degree. But the moment he saw the hobbit and Torvi happily laughing with him the scaled serpent that had went dormant earlier erupted into his chest, splitting into two individual bodies. The first being the original flaming red serpent of rage, the second a new manifestation. It was a green serpent of envy. Torvi's smile towards the hobbit was beautiful and genuine. Something he had not seen honestly since before he left to retrieve Bilbo. It used to be that all he had to do in order to see that smile was look at her. It was the smile that reached her eyes and did the impossible to brighten them even more. It was the smile that made him feel that as long as he could always see it, he could do whatever was expected of him. The smile that he looked forward to waking up to every morning for the rest of his life when they were married. The smile that made him feel as though the weight of his inheritance was lighter than air. He was seeing that smile right now but it was brought on by someone else. Someone that she had only met a few days ago. He had never felt a single ill feeling towards Bilbo before but as he watched her smiling at him, he could not help but curse the entire lineage of Baggins past, present, and future. His feet made a dull thud on the stone street as he marched towards the two persons in his line of direction. His head throbbed as he took each step but her ignored the pain.
Bilbo said something making Torvi laugh again and causing Fili's fists to ball up in frustration. Kili popped up beside her and she wrapped her arms around him in a hug. He watched as they exchanged hushed whispers that seemed to bring a shared happiness between them as Torvi gave him another hug at his words. She let him go and turned from his brother and faced forward, toward himself.
The moment her eyes connected with his her beautiful smile fell from her face and was replaced with a look of utter distaste. This reaction only made his insides twist and turn even more vehemence. He let out a slow, deep growl as he stomped towards them.
He noticed both Kili and Bilbo notice the change in Torvi's manor and turned to see what could cause such a change in her mood. The moment Kili saw his brother making his way towards them he stepped protectively in front of Torvi and dawned on a ghoulish grin in an attempt to either diffuse his brother's anger or act as a sacrifice to absorb some of the explosion that was about to erupt from his brother.
"Fili," he said spreading his arms out wide. "How nice of you to join us. I would have invited you but it was a spur of the moment decision." His words were apologetic but his tone was too light to seem fully penitent for his lack of invitation.
Fili frowned at his words and pushed his brother aside. He did not have the patience for his brother's lack of seriousness at the moment. Fili knew that his brother was aware that he himself was not in the mood for his shenanigans. Yet he still sought to soften the ambiance of the scenario. Fili understood it was an attempt to calm him down but it only irked him more. He only spared a brief glance at his brother before setting his eyes on Torvi.
"What are you doing here?" It was in the form of a question but his tone made it into a demand.
All signs of her relaxed happiness that had existed before his arrival retracted from her face as a frown formed on her face and she narrowed her eyes.
"Isn't it obvious?" She hissed between clenched teeth.
His jaw muscle clenched in agitation before relaxing just enough for him to open his mouth to let his words out. "I thought I was clear about you leaving Erebor?"
"Perfectly." She replied in a calm tone that caused Fili's jaw to tighten again. "You said I had to have an escort." She raised her hands, palms facing up as she indicated to both Bilbo and Kili standing beside her. "I have two. You should be ecstatic."
Fili did not miss the sarcasm that laced her voice as she flashed him a smug grin. He let out a scoff.
"I would hardly believe a hobbit to be considered as a full escort. They are called halflings for a reason."
She was taken aback but his words. Torvi spared a slight glance to the hobbit. His face had turned bright red at Fili's insult and he was staring abashedly at the ground as his feet shuffled nervously at a loose stone in the road. She moved her attention back to Fili staring at him as if he were a stranger. Never in her entire time since first learning the name Bilbo Baggins, had she ever heard someone speak negatively of him. He was a hero to dwarves and a friend to Durin's. By the slight intake of shocked breath to her left it was apparent that Kili was just as shocked as she was.
"Fili!" Kili's voice no longer had its usual cheer. The effect caused him to sound more like his uncle as his tone was filled with disapproval. "You of all people should know that Bilbo would never let any harm come Torvi. And had the unlikelihood of him becoming incapable of defending her, I was here as well. Or do you doubt my skills to protect Torvi as well?"
Fili's attention snapped to his brother at his words, his face showed no signs of remorse. His lips parted as the muscles in his face contorted in pure contempt. It was an expression his brother had never seen adorn his brothers face and it was one that did not do the golden princes features any improvement.
"I do not doubt your skills brother." He hissed the words through his teeth. "But your skills are useless in your absence from her side. So what, might I ask, was so important that you disregarded the safety of Torvi?"
Kili's face paled. He opened his mouth to speak but quickly closed it as he struggled to procure any words for his reasoning. As Kili struggled to produce a reason for his absence, Torvi's eyes narrowed at Fili. She pushed forward and placed herself between the two brothers.
"That's none of your business Fili. Kili did nothing wrong."
Fili raised his eyebrows at her exclamation but quickly raised a warning finger to her face forcing her to take a step back.
"Do not," he began slowly in a deep tone, "defend him." He shot a narrowed glance past her shoulder to his brother before focusing back to her. He lowered his hand from her face and wrapped his fingers around her wrist. "Come on, we are going back to the mountain."
He took a step back, his hand pulling her arm forward with him as he turned to guide her through the street. After only a step he felt her arm go taut as she set her feet firmly in place. Annoyance shot through his system as he looked back to see Torvi with a firmly set jaw of defiance.
"No." Her voice was firm as she spoke and in an act to further confirm her stance she twisted her arm free of his grasp and took a step back. "I will go back when I decide I am done for the day." She took another step back. "And I am not done yet."
Kili watched their interaction closely. He was unsurprised by Torvi's defiance. She never did like being told what to do. Ever since they were little she was rebellious to anyone who tried to govern her. There were some occasions in which she was so resistant, that when a person was telling her to do something she wanted to do initially, she would do opposite. It was counter productive but it was what Torvi did. She liked to make her own decisions. It was only when she asked for advice or guidance did she follow another's suggestion.
From his standpoint behind her, Kili could not see the expression on her face but it was not her that he was watching closely. It was Fili. The moment Fili had turned around to look back at Torvi, Kili's stomach gave a sickening lurch. He saw the way Fili's eyes transitioned from his usual bright azure to a darkened and feral look before quickly regaining their usual lighter tone. He sensed Bilbo shift slightly in unease as well and knew that he too had caught that foreign yet familiar rage crazed gaze. It had only been a flash, but Kili recognized that look. It was years ago, but he had seen that look before. Except the last time it had been adorning another person's face.
"Torvi," Kili said her name slowly and cautiously, not taking his eyes from his brother as he watched him like predator. From the corner of his eye he sensed Torvi turn around to face him, her face inquisitive at his odd tone. "I think you should go back." He stated firmly.
He sensed her beginning to construct a defiant reply and moved his attention from Fili to her.
"Perhaps we should all go." He quickly added as he shot a glance towards Bilbo who was nodding his own agreeance.
Torvi's eyes flashed between the two as she folded her arms in thought. Her right leg began to bounce as she tried to contain her agitation without making a scene. Kili could tell she was not wanting to give in and let Fili win. He did his best to desperately convey his plea through his soft brown eyes as he focused on her own, doing his best to silently converse with her. They were all still for several minutes with the exception of Torivi's bouncing leg. Kili had not even noticed he was holding his breath until a small frown finally adorned Torvi's lips. She let out a defeated sign.
"Fine." She said curtly.
A slight, satisfied, and triumphant smile came to Fili's lips as he stepped forward to take Torvi's arm again. At his movement Torvi turned her attention to him, her eyes narrowed as she caught his smug smile. As he extended his arm out for her to take she retracted her arm further back. The smile quickly fled from his face at her movement and turned into a dissatisfied frown.
"I said I would go back, but I didn't say it would be with you," she snapped sharply.
She turned to Bilbo and linked her arm through his instead making it a point to keep her eyes locked with his. The moment she caught his eye it twitched in annoyance. Satisfied with the results of her action she smirked and looked away toward the street. With her arm secured tightly with his, she began to drag the unfortunate hobbit along with her before he could make any protests. As she passed by, she kept her eyes forward to the street before her, refusing to spare Fili another glance.
Bilbo looked back to the two princes still standing in their wake as he was dragged along as an escort to Torvi. As Kili saw his conflicted face he could not decide if he should pity the poor hobbit for being abducted by an irate Torvi or envy him
as he was left standing alone with a fuming Fili.
Fili stood with his hands clenched into fists and his teeth gritted together in a furious sneer as he watched Torvi's back. His rigidness dissipated moderately as a gentle hand fell on his shoulder causing him to startle. He looked to his left to meet his brothers eyes staring worriedly at him.
Kili opened his mouth, hesitant to speak as he was unsure if words would make the situation better or worse.
"Come on, we can follow behind and still keep watch."
Fili's eyes looked back to where Bilbo and Torvi where now beginning to disappear in the growing foot traffic of the market. He nodded slowly and began to walk forward, his eyes never leaving the dwarrow maid and hobbit ahead of them.
The exit from the city of Dale was quick and silent. Fili had yet to utter a word or even acknowledge that Kili was walking along beside him. Instead he stared forward, keeping his eyes glued to the pair that they were stalking behind. Kili resorted to keeping up with Fili's pace as he kept them within twenty paces behind Torvi and Bilbo.
Occasionally he would have to steer Fili to the side by a soft push or pull to him to keep his brother from colliding with other pedestrians as Fili was too preoccupied with keeping his attention on Torvi to be aware of his other surroundings. Kili was not even sure if Fili even registered that he was being moved and if he did, he showed no acknowledgment of being moved.
As they passed out of Dale and began making their way up the path leading to Erebor's gates, Kili felt relieved as the crowd of traffic thinned, then dissipated leaving no one between them and the other two. Only the open rolling foothills surrounded them as the autumn sun warmed their skin from the cool open air. The open area seemed to put some ease to Fili's mind as his rigid march began relax to slow pace, putting more distance between them. Torvi and Bilbo walked slowly up ahead. Kili could tell they were now conversing pleasantly as Torvi was now allowing Bilbo to naturally walk alongside her instead of being dragged along. Every so often he noticed Bilbo glance back to them while Torvi kept her attention directed only the the views ahead.
Taking advantage of the time alone and the slight change in Fili's mood Kili looked at his brother from the corner of his eye. He was no longer frowning nor was he smiling, instead he had a stoic expression as he continued to gaze ahead. By the relaxation in the corners of his eyes, Kili could tell that while Fili was still looking towards Bilbo and Torvi, he was no longer focused. Instead his eyes had a blank stare to them that told Kili his was lost in thought.
"Brother," he said gently.
Fili did not respond immediately to Kili's call to pull him from his thoughts, but the dark haired prince waited patiently Finally a low hum of acknowledgment sounded in Fili's throat telling Kili he had his attention.
"Do you want to talk about what happened?"
Fili drew his eyes away from the walk ahead of them and focused on Kili's face. Kili watched as a sea of emotions moved across his face. With each wave came a new emotion. He watched as his brother fought internally for words to voice an answer. To his disappointment his brother quickly looked forward again as the waves disappeared to calmness, not even leaving a ripple of emotion.
"No." Fili's voice was just as dry of emotion as his face.
Kili let out a sigh of disappointment. His brothers relationship was failing. Yet, it seemed as if Fili did not realize the danger zone he was in. Torvi was tolerating this behavior for now, at least to an extent, but he feared if Fili continued this behavior she would be pushed to the edge.
"You are treading in dangerous waters brother."
At Kili's warning tone, Fili looked at him, his eyes full of an unvoiced inquiry.
"Your pushing her too far, consuming her independence," Kili continued.
Fili remained silent as he looked forward again to stare vacantly ahead. Kili searched his older brothers profile, trying to understand what was going through his head. Fili remained unreadable. Kili to shook his head in frustration of his lack of success to get through to his brother. In an act of desperation he stepped in front of him with his arms crossed. Fili stopped abruptly. His eyes widened slightly in surprise before narrowing in scrutiny of Kili's action.
Kili stood his ground and glared back.
"I don't know what is going on in your mind but something is off. You are not acting like yourself," he said in a low tone. "If you won't talk to me, then fine. But I am warning you now. Torvi chose you for you, not your title like most other girls. The people love her. She is accepted by the council because she is also of noble blood. That is a rarity in the life of any royalty. To be married to the woman you love, who is approved by all, and loves you for you. But Torvi only took this role for you alone. You could have been a pauper and she would have chosen you. But you are not being YOU anymore and if you don't get your act together soon, you're going to lose her."
By the end of his speech Kili was breathing heavily and took a few deep breaths as he watched his brother for any kind of sign that he was registering anything he was saying. To his dismay, Fili stayed the same as he did from beginning to end of Kili's rant. As the silence lingered on for several minutes Fili finally made a motion. Unfortunately it was not what Kili was hoping for.
The golden prince took one step to the side and a step forward so he was shoulder to shoulder with the younger dwarf. He kept his body facing forward but turned his head to speak into his ear.
"Torvi, is not going anywhere." He hissed darkly, causing a shiver to run through Kili's bones.
Without another word Fili walked on to the gates where Bilbo and Torvi where now entering through, this time at a quicker and more rigid pace than before. Kili was left in the dust feeling even worse than before. Something was terribly wrong with Fili. Something that went deeper than just his disgruntlement with Torvi's defiance. It scared him more than the idea of going into an unfavorable battle. At least with battle he knew what the enemy was, but here there was no enemy and yet, his gut told him the danger seemed just as high.
The moment Torvi bid Bilbo farewell at the mountain entrance she took off in search of solitude. She found it at an empty balcony that looked out over the market. It was not a familiar place that she would normally dwell which was the very reason why she choose it as her point of brooding. Fili knew her habits and she knew he would attempt to seek her out the moment he returned to the mountain.
As she traced a crack in the banister she was leaning on, a sickening feeling came to her mind as she registered her actions. Since when did she start avoiding Fili? This thought disturbed her. She loved Fili. She was in a courtship with Fili. She was to marry Fili. Yet here she was, seeking to be away from him.
Her biggest fear of marriage was being caught up in a loveless marriage where she despised the man she was tied down to. It was the biggest reason she had originally wanted to never marry. She had seen it too often, especially among noble families. Two people only married for power, money, or as an arrangement. They put on a show in public, tolerating each other's company for the duration of the event before going their separate ways the moment they were out of the public view. She had a great aunt that was in the very same situation. She died when Torvi was young.
She had been old, grey, and bitter when she died. It was then that Torvi first gained her fear and swore she would never marry for any other reason but love. No matter who the man was. As she got older she became more and more against marriage all together but then she fell in love with Fili.
Now she didn't know what to think. She loved Fili, the thought of not being married to him caused her chest to ache in pain at the idea. But whenever she thought of Fili she thought of the Fili she had first been reacquainted with at her arrival to Erebor. The Fili that was burdened by his duties as heir, the Fili that laughed with his brother, the Fili that always smiled when he looked at her, the Fili that was impressed by her efforts to be independent and self reliant, and most of all the Fili that trusted her without question.
But that was nearly a year ago. Fili had changed, she had changed, they had changed. There was a time when she could hardly be apart from him, now she was avoiding him. She couldn't remember the last time they kissed or even touched in an affectionate way. Had it been two or three days? All that came to mind was Fili pulling or tugging her as he glared at her in anger. She herself acted the same, pushing him away at any of his attempts to touch her as she glared back.
She let out a long sigh and covered her face with her hands. She dug her palms into her eyes to stop the burning feeling of tears. She did not want to cry. She did not want to feel this way. But the more she fought it, the more the feeling grew. An image of her great aunt flashed across her mind. A permanent frown adorned her face as her auburn hair had been washed out into a dull grey. Her green eyes no longer the color of new life. They were faded. As if they had lost their luster long ago.
Then, to her horror, she made a realization. Her aunt did not have green eyes. They had always been brown. A wave of nausea came to Torvi as she realized this image was not her aunt, it was her. Those where her faded green eyes, her frown, her wrinkles, her grey hair, HER unhappiness. She snapped her eyes wide open as she shot up straight. The urge to expel the contents of her stomach was so strong it took everything in her to keep it down.
She forced herself to take in large gulps of air as she focused solely on not being sick. The sensation slowly dissipated leaving her feeling drained of all energy. Sweat beaded her forehead and she leaned forward to rest her head against the marbled banister. The cool stone revived her fractionally but she still felt week. With no energy to expel unwanted thoughts she continued to ponder over the events of the past week. They were both equally at fault for many of their arguments but as she analyzed the events earlier that day she could not find any fault with herself this time. She had followed his rules and yet he had still been angry.
The more she thought about it, the more angry she became and she soon found the thoughts of her old self being erased as she began to imagine Fili in fitting punishments for his actions. Her face was adorned with a scowl as she imagined smashing her fist into the triumphant smirk that had been on his face when she agreed to go back.
Thorin was walking down the hall when he spotted Torvi leaning on the wall overlooking the grand hall and looking thoroughly displeased. He had always been fond of her when she was a young dwarfling. When her family arrived to the mountain he could tell that she was not the same, she had changed drastically, he whole family had. Even now while she was betrothed to his nephew he still did not know much about her.
There desire to become betrothed did not surprise him whatsoever. Many times he had seen both Torvi and Fili walking together, smiling and exchanging pleasantries. He had seen the gradual change in his nephew since her family had come back. It was obvious that these two were undoubtable in love with each other, meant for each other. No one could deny the fact that their fates had been woven together by Mahal himself. It was because of this and the few things in which his sister had relayed to him that he approved their desire to be married.
Since they had become betrothed he had seen her a little more often to know that she had a good heart and she truly made his nephew happy. In return he saw that his nephew made her just as happy. Every time she spotted him she lit up and continued to glow for as long as she was in his presence. It was endearing. Thorin had never had the experience to meet his one so instead he relished in watching his nephew experience it.
But there was something wrong as of late and it bothered him. There interaction and moods where foreign yet familiar. Had this been sixty years ago he would not even think twice about what was going on, but now it bothered him. He had noticed a dark cloud seemed to be lurking over his nephew, growing darker with each day that passed. He had become withdrawn. Always brooding in his unknown thoughts. Torvi had changed as well. She did not glow when she around his nephew. He thought that perhaps the up coming Durin's day festivities might change their demeanor but it did nothing. If anything, they seemed even more distant.
As he thought about the disturbance in their actions, he thought it best that he investigate. In a way it was partly his business therefore it was his duty to pry into their business. If this problem went on between them it could change their future marriage and even the kingdom. Taking advantage of not needing to be anywhere at the moment, he walked over and leaned against the overlook next to her. When he spoke she was startled. She had been obviously unaware of his presence.
"You look as if you are contemplating murder," he stated casually.
Torvi looked up at him and sighed as she looked back out over rows of stalls and vendors. "I am afraid murder would be too kind for him."
Thorin hummed in acknowledgment. "Ah. And whom might I ask, has caused such an offense?"
She turned her head to look at him with an 'isn't it obvious' nodded in understanding.
"My guess would be Fili."
She nodded.
"You know I was just beginning to think your days of rivalry where past you two when you announced your intentions to marry. Most people tend to want to like the person they are betrothed to. I thought that is what happened over these many months but it seems I might have been mistaken."
Torvi looked back out to the moving citizens below and leaned her chin on her hand.
"So did I until he decided that he needed to join everyone else in my life and tell me what I can and cannot do." She mumbled bitterly.
"And what was it that he tried to tell you to do?"
Her face darkened. He watched as she chewed the left side of her bottom lip as if she were contemplating on if she would tell him or not. She let out a sigh that seemed to be mixed with a subtle growl before she spoke.
"He forbid me from going out of the mountain without an escort. He thinks I can't take care of myself and that I need protecting."
"He cares for your well being, that hardly seems crime enough to be so upset." Commented Thorin. "And as one who also has your wellbeing at interest, I too strongly urge that you should have an escort. Perhaps it was not quite as necessary earlier but as a future queen you become a target to many." Thorin argued seeing no fault in Fili's action yet.
Torvi frowned at his lack of empathy to her dilemma. She scowled down at the market below as she contemplated if it was worth her words to try and gain his support to her side of the argument. Before she had fully decided she found herself speaking more of Fili's crimes.
"He instructed the guards to not let me leave the gates without a male escort. Both day and night. But then when I did leave the mountain during the day with not one but two escorts he became angry with me."
"Who were your escorts?" He asked curiously.
"Kili." She replied slowly as she drew her attention away from the crowd below to Thorin as she realized this would not just be a casual conversation.
At the mention of his youngest nephew's name Thorin raised an eyebrow as if to question if he really should sympathize with her. She gnawed at her lip even more as she realized that 'Kili' was not a strong argument to gain Thorin to see her side.
"And Bilbo," she added in a slight defense to strengthen her argument.
The look in which he gave her told her otherwise. Bilbo had gained an importance in the King's heart, he would trust his life with him but at the same time, he was still a small hobbit. He had his moments in heroism and courage but he was still not confident that the hobbit would be prepared for anything at anytime.
"I know that you value your freedom to do as your wish, we all do." He added thinking of his own wants to occasionally disappear for a day just to have some peace a quiet.
If he were honest, he looked forward to the day Fili would become prepared enough to take his position. Something he hoped for before his own death forced it upon his nephew. He would like to enjoy his last days with sought after peace.
"Perhaps his actions of instructing the guards may have been a little drastic but had he not would you have taken an escort?"
His question needed no verbal answer as a look of guilt passed over her face. He nodded in understanding.
"It may seem Fili is being unfair," he continued."But he is only doing what is best for the you and in a long stretch what is best for Erebor." His tone was not reprimanding but it did have a tone which told her that she was nowhere near convincing him to see fault in Fili's actions.
"I understand that but he says I am being selfish by going out. He called me reckless and selfish but he does not understand that by forbidding me from leaving the mountain it is not me he is punishing its…" She stopped herself abruptly and looked up at Thorin with wide eyes who was now listening very intently.
Thorin was now highly intrigued as to what Torvi had to say. Earlier her complaints seemed juvenile but now, there was something in her tone and actions that seemed he was missing important information. He could tell by the worried look that came across her face when she stopped herself. His eyes narrowed as he surveyed her face with a thorough examination. She squirmed under his scrutiny and immediately faced back to the market below, now only allowing him to observe her profile. He could see the flash of green at the corner of her eye as she checked for his reaction. This only encouraged his desire to know what she was trying to hide.
"What do you mean not punishing you? Who is it hurting?" He asked in a steady voice.
Torvi's body was rigid as she continued to face forward but after a while slouched back down to the railing and began to pick at a crack in the stone.
"No one." She said decidedly. She paused, as if contemplating in changing her mind but after a long moment passed she shook her head. "It's nothing," she finally said in a defeated tone.
Thorin watched her more closely. He thought about pushing her more but let it go. It was obvious that there was more to this story but it was even more obvious that he would not be getting anything more now. If this were something that could end in trouble, he wanted to be someone she knew to trust and confide with. She needed someone who would not force her.
He had to admit her words had brought a certain awareness and worry. but there was nothing more to be said or done here. After a few minutes he made an excuse for his need to take leave and left her to brood in her thoughts. Just as he began to walk away he stopped as she called out his name.
"Thorin?"
He turned back around to look at her. He could not help but take note of her conflicted emotions fluttering across her face. Her eyes were beginning to turn red as if they were irritated and her face looked tired. Dark circles lay beneath her vivid eyes and her lips were turned down in a conflicted frown.
"Yes?" He replied slowly.
"Do you…" Her words came out choked and she cleared her throat. "Do you ever regret never marrying?"
Thorin was taken aback by her question. No one had ever asked him about his love life, but it did not mean he did not think of it often. Yes he had wanted to marry. However, he had never had the opportunity. As he contemplated his answer, he became wary as to why she was asking. He searched her face but she had done well to hide what she was thinking. He raised his hand to his chin and rubbed it thoughtfully. He needed to be honest, but cautious as well. If she was contemplating what he was thinking, then he needed to tread lightly. He took a step back to the banister and absentmindedly traced the design carved into the stone.
"No, I do not." He looked at her face cautiously, taking in her reaction. For a moment there was a glimpse of relief in her eyes which disturbed him. "However, I would have sorely regretted it if I had ever had the opportunity. But I never found my one."
He turned to her.
"I do not know what it is that you are contemplating Torvi, but let me tell you this," he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Whatever is troubling you will pass. You and Fili are both strong and whatever it is that has driven a wedge between you, you will overcome it. But you will only overcome it together. I am not an oracle, but I know that should you go through with what I think you considering, your misery will be worse by ten fold to what you are feeling now."
As he spoke, she failed to make eye contact only keeping her eyes set on his mouth as he spoke. He lifted her chin until her eyes met his before continuing.
"So I ask you this, would you bring such misery to yourself? Would you bring it to Fili?"
She looked down at the floor, a look of shame overcoming her composure. As she looked back up he saw her eyes were filled with unshed tears. His heart went out to the girl and he pulled her into a tight embrace. He felt her arms wrap around his waist and grasp at the material of his coat as she squeezed him tightly.
"Promise me Torvi, that you will fight for your happiness," he said as he pulled her away to look down at her face.
Her eyes were on the brink of having her tears overflow but she fought to keep them back. He waited for a moment for her answer but only her lips trembled in a response. He exhaled a sigh before giving her a grim smile and began to walk away again.
"Thorin," her voice was barely above a whisper.
He paused and turned his head to look at her. He could see her tears were now running freely down her cheeks as her hands shook.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "You need not worry for Fili's happiness nor mine."
She wiped away the tears quickly and raised her head to meet his eyes. She set jaw in determination as she did her best to convey her conviction in her voice.
"I promise," she said firmly.
A grateful smile came to his lips as his eyes shone with a deep appreciation that Torvi understood. He said nothing but gave her a nod before leaving.
Hey everyone. Sorry if this chapter is a little uneventful. It is actually only half a chapter but it was running long and I was only half way so I decided to split it into two different chapters. So you get a bonus update faster and I should definitely have the next chapter up at least by next weekend. Welcome to all the people who recently favorited and followed hope you enjoy the story. Thanks to thatredheadedchick for your encouragement glad you are enjoying the story and I hope I do not disappoint. Hope this update was quick enough for you! Until next time enjoy!