In the morning, Naya sent Thorin to get Oin for her. "Why? You're the healer."
Naya replied, "Yes, but I want his advice on something. Besides, honestly, you could use a bath." She wrinkled her nose and waved the air. Taking the hint, Thorin left. Oin knocked and entered a short time later.
"How's the patient today," he asked in the manner of doctors everywhere.
Her voice was serious. "Oin, I need you to help me remove this arrow. I can't do it myself. The flesh has closed in around it. I can 'pull' it back a little, but you will have to pull it out physically."
Oin grimaced. "That is going to be incredibly painful. Dwarves rarely use pain killers, so there's nothing I can give you. Anything I have would be too strong for you."
"I know. This is going to take planning. I don't want Thorin to know and I don't want him here. He would be wild if he saw what it looked like. Once we start, it shouldn't take long. Tell me what you think of this plan…"
...
After finishing his bath, Thorin stopped long enough to eat. He was famished. He probably should have taken something to Naya, but Oin would make sure she got fed. She was so much better today. As he rose from the table to head back, Balin, Dwalin, Fili and Kili approached. "Come see what we have for supplies," boomed Dwalin. "We need to know if we forgot anything."
"I was going back to Naya…"
Balin said, "She'll be okay. This won't take long."
Kili piped up, "I think Oin's still with her. I saw him go in but not come out."
"Alright, but let's make it quick. Where are we going?"
"Everything is out in the stables, for the most part. We'll start there," said Fili. They started to move out of the room. In the entryway they passed Bilbo lounging against the wall. "We're going out to the stables, Bilbo, want to come?" asked Fili.
"No, I have to go get some breakfast. See you later," was the reply. After the group was halfway to the stables, Bilbo ran to Naya's room. "They're outside in the stables. They'll make sure Thorin doesn't come back, no matter what."
Bilbo looked around the room. Everything was ready. Oin was beside Naya, his instruments laid out on the table. Bofur would assist if necessary. Dori and Ori had been hijacked to hold her down if they had to. Naya knew Ori was not the best choice, but they had been unable to find any of the other dwarves quickly enough.
"Let's get this over with, Oin," Naya said. "I will 'pull' the flesh back and try and 'push' the arrow out. I'm not sure I can do either. If I can't, you need to cut it out and pull." She put a roll of cloth between her teeth to bite down on. She looked inward and did her best to start her part of the plan. After so many days, the arrow was well embedded in her shoulder. She gradually tried to push it up and out while pulling the new flesh away. It moved very little. Being gentle wasn't going to work. She pulled as hard as she dared. Oin could see the wound starting to open just a little. Naya's face was covered in sweat and her jaws were clenched hard over the cloth. One more try…
With a grunt, she opened her eyes. "That's the best I can do. I don't have the strength to do anything more."
"The wound is open a bit. Do you want me to make it bigger or just try to pull it out?" He really didn't want to be doing this. Thorin was going to kill him!
"Try and pull. As you pull, I will try to pull the flesh back at the same time. If it doesn't work, cut it out." She looked at Bilbo. "If Bilbo can fight Azog, I can face a little arrow wound." Bilbo reached out and took her hand. "If it hurts, just squeeze my hand," he said.
"Alright, Naya, I have the arrow. I am going to pull." Oin had the protruding stub of the arrow in a clamp. He took a firm grip and started to pull. Naya began to pant through the cloth, but made no sound. The arrow moved a fraction and then stopped.
"Pull! Just yank it out!"
It was muffled by the cloth, but Oin heard the words. He nodded at Ori and Dori. "Hold her still." He adjusted his grip on the clamp and yanked.
...
"This all looks fine," said Thorin. "You've all done good work. I really do need to get back to Naya." He turned to leave.
"Uh, what about the ponies?" asked Fili. "Do you think they look strong enough to make it? One of them was a little lame the other day."
Thorin glanced at the animals. "They're ponies. I really don't have time for this!"
Now it was Balin's turn. He put his arm around Thorin. "There is something we need to discuss." Before he could continue, a terrible scream split the air and then another. Thorin jerked away from Balin.
"What was that? That was Naya. What are they doing to her?" He turned to run back inside.
Dwalin grabbed him. "She doesn't want you there. Oin is taking out the arrow. She begged us to keep you away until she sends for you."
"But why? I should be with her. She's in pain!"
"And that is why she doesn't want you there. You have seen her in too much pain already." Dwalin tightened his grip. "You know what removing an arrow is like. Do you want to see her go through that?"
Thorin stopped struggling. After the two screams, there had been no more. "I can't bear this. Go find out what is happening, please!" Kili ran into the house, glad to get away. Inside, however, it was not much better.
Oin had the arrow out. Naya was writhing in pain, covered in blood. Bilbo was nursing a hand he thought might be broken, and Ori, who had suffered a well placed kick from Naya, was bent over on the floor. "I guess I don't need to ask how it went. We won't be able to hold Thorin for long. Nice screams, Naya." He tried to lighten the mood as usual.
Oin glared at him. "Keep him out as long as you can. She needs a few minutes." Kili retreated. "Do you need me to do anything more? Did I get it all?"
Naya was busy reducing some of the pain. She was able to finally hold still. "If you could clean up the blood and put a bandage on, that would be best. Sorry, Ori, Bilbo, that was a bit more than I expected. I owe you both a pint….or ten." Suddenly, Gloin burst in.
"What in Middle Earth is all this screaming?" He jolted to a stop. "You pulled that arrow out! Why? I thought you were going to leave it for now."
"I needed it out so I can heal faster. I need to get strong enough to leave with the company," said the quiet voice from the bed. "I don't want to be a burden." She had just suffered agony. She was going to make Gloin feel a little shame if she could manage it.
Gloin knew she was referring to his rude words on that day long ago, and he was ashamed. "I'm sorry I ever said that. Now that I know you, my opinion is different. I am proud to have you as a member of the company. You are as brave as any dwarf I have ever known."
Naya listened in astonishment. "Well, that makes this all seem a bit less painful. Thank you, Gloin." Finally, all the dwarves were out of the 'dislikes Naya' column. Life was good. Except for the blazing pain in her shoulder. She couldn't help but smile.
...
Dori gingerly approached the group by the stable. Thorin glared at him. "Well, how is she? What have you mutilators done to her?" he yelled. It was amazing how he reverted to type when Naya was not around, Dori thought.
"She's fine. Sore, but doing okay. You can go see her any time. Thorin, please don't be angry at us. It was her idea to exclude you." Dori waited for the explosion. Surprisingly, it didn't come.
"Thank you, for taking care of her, Dori. I'm pretty sure none of you would have done this on your own. If you had, be assured I would have made you pay!" With that, he ran into the house.
"What were you thinking?" were the first words out of his mouth. Naya was leaning back against the pillows with a bandage around her shoulder.
"I was thinking you really didn't need to see me suffer anymore. If I hadn't let out those screams, you might never have known. Truly, Thorin, you would not have wanted to be here. Just ask Ori and Bilbo. They got caught in the cross fire. Who knows what would have happened to you." She smiled slightly. Her pain was fading, but it was still hard to face Thorin. "And besides, with the arrow out, I can concentrate on getting completely healed and recover my strength. When do we leave?"
"You amaze me, you really do." He leaned over and kissed her softly on her forehead. "I have never met anyone like you before. Could the rest of you leave us alone?" He watched as Oin packed up and left with the others. "I have had a lot of time to think over the last few days. It's amazing what runs through one's mind when stuck in a barrel. And when one stands on a shore waiting for one's love to show up. And wake up. And recover. You get my point, I'm sure." He looked into her beautiful eyes. "There is something I want to say when I know you are wide awake." He took a deep breath. "I love you, Valinaya Beorning, and I can't imagine my life without you, not for a single day if I can help it. Will you marry me?"
Naya returned his gaze in stunned silence. Never had she expected him to say that! The first part yes, she knew he loved her, had told her before, but the last? "I-I don't know what to say. Of course, I will marry you," she said quickly when she saw his face start to fall. "But, I'm not a dwarf. Worse yet, I'm a skin changer and you are a king, or soon will be. Who would ever accept me?"
"The only 'who' that matters is me. And as I have said, life without you is not an option. Also, I'm pretty sure every member of the company will accept you. Except for Gloin, might be a problem there. But I have lived my life for others for too long. Now it's my turn. What difference if you are not a dwarf? Fili and Kili are my heirs and I wouldn't disinherit them. Do you even want children?" he thought to ask.
She replied quickly, "No, I have never wanted children. After my own childhood, I never felt the desire. As for Gloin, I think you might find he is not as resistant as before. I can't say he will love the idea, but I doubt he will fight against it. I would be proud to be your wife, Thorin. Nothing would make me happier. Ever since that first day, I have felt bound to you, so we don't need to marry. Perhaps it would easier if we didn't."
"No, it would not. I want the world to know how I value and respect you. Many would look down on you if we were not wed. And, I want to make sure you do not run away on some harebrained adventure." He smiled. "And this is the easiest way I have of controlling you." He pulled her to him and kissed her soundly.
"Ow", she said playfully. "You can marry me, but I guarantee it will not give you control. Maybe a say in the matter, but not control. If I want to go on a harebrained scheme you will just have to come along. Are there any other kings that need help regaining their thrones?" She reached up and pulled him down to her. "Now come here and seal the bargain!"
Once the bargain was sealed properly, Naya became serious. "There is one thing I must ask."
"Anything," he smilingly replied. "Right now, I can't refuse any request you make. Within reason of course!"
"If, no when, you regain Erebor, you must promise me that you will share the gold."
Thorin's eyes squinted as he frowned and looked at Naya. "Share the gold? In Erebor? With whom and why?"
"Yes. The gold in Erebor. And with the people of Lake Town and any others who suffered under the dragon's attack. I read a history of the desolation, Thorin. After the dwarves left, those left behind suffered, too. Much of the land was barren and Dale destroyed. Those who survived had very little to live on. Plus, they lost everything if they lived in Dale. It would be a magnanimous and kingly gesture to share some of the wealth of Erebor."
"You have mentioned how your grandfather suffered from the dragon sickness. Sharing the gold may be one way to overcome the disease. If you put the thought in your mind that you will share at least a small portion of the gold, you may find it easier to fight against dragon sickness. Please promise me? I think it will be very important that you do." She reached out a touched his cheek.
"Is this based on more of your 'visions', Naya?" She could hear the reluctance in his voice. Dwarves sharing gold was a hard concept to sell.
"If you must know, yes. Any time I dream of Erebor, the words 'gold' and 'share' keep cropping up. And it seems like the right thing to do. You will need allies to support your claim to the throne when the time comes. If handing out a little of Erebor's wealth can help, I see no reason not to do so. Please tell me you will at least think about it? I wouldn't ask if I didn't think it was important." She took his hand and squeezed it tightly. "At times, it almost seems crucial."
Thorin did not seem convinced. "I will consider the idea, but I make no promise at this time."
"I can't ask for more than that. I know you will do the right thing." She leaned over and kissed him firmly.
...
"Now, if you will excuse me, I think I am the one in need of a bath! Why don't you go and spend some times with the rest of the company? They probably think you have abandoned them!" Naya got out of bed and gathered the things she would need for a bath.
"Are you sure you should be up?" Thorin asked.
"I'm fine. What with all the kisses you have given me, I have been able to finish the last of the healing. Even the arrow pain is almost gone. I just want to lounge in a tub of hot water. Alone!" she said, before Thorin could say anything about helping.
"Very well, but just remember, I offered to scrub your back. There is something I need to tend to, now that I think about it. One more kiss, and I'm off." It was more than one kiss, but he left her alone a short time later.
Thorin walked through the house, looking for Balin. He found him in the great room with Bofur and Bifur. "Balin, may I have word with you, in private?" asked Thorin.
"Certainly, let's go outside." Balin was glad to see Thorin. Lately, he was rarely available. Hopefully, once Naya was healed, that would change. "What can I do for you?"
"I have a great favor to ask of you, Balin. I would very much appreciate it if you would perform the wedding ceremony for Naya and I. Tonight." Thorin wanted to make sure he and Naya were wed before they left on the last leg of the journey.
Balin stared at him. "I-I'm sorry, but I don't think I can do that."
Thorin was shocked. Balin was his oldest and dearest friend. "What do you mean? This is a very important occasion. I thought you would be proud to serve!"
"Normally, I would be flattered, Thorin, but Naya is not a dwarf. How can you even think of marriage with her? You are the heir to the throne of Erebor. What would your subjects think of being ruled over by a non dwarf? And a skin changer?" he muttered at the end.
"I had no idea you felt that way. After all she has done for me? I will marry her, Balin, with or without you. As for my 'subjects', as yet, they do not exist and if they did, I would hope they would join in my happiness. Mahal knows I have had little enough to celebrate in my life." He turned and strode angrily away.
Balin watched him go. He had not even realized he felt that way until Thorin surprised him with his request. The idea of marriage had never crossed his mind. Thorin liked (loved?) Naya, he knew, but enough to marry her? Why? She could just continue to be his companion, couldn't she? He walked down the street and into a tavern. He needed a drink after this.
He was halfway through a pint when a slightly drunken local sat down at his table. Slurring his words, the man said, "You're one of them dwarves, ain't ya? Balin nodded. "Are ya goin' after Smaug then? Don' envy ya, must say, not the dragon. Tell ya what I do envy, heard about a pretty little whore ya got wit ya. She do all of ya or jus the top guy? Ever'one says he can't keep away from her. Mus' be pretty good in the sack. Ya think she would ever branch out into the town , if ya know what I mean?" The man gave Balin a wink and a leer.
Balin stood. "You are fortunate you said these things to me and not to the 'top guy' (Balin punched the man in the face as hard as he could), he would kill you for those comments. I suggest you erase those thoughts from your head." Balin doubted the man heard the last as he was out cold on the floor. "Sorry about the mess", he said to the barkeep on his way out.