Different Worlds
Chapter 25 – "Letters from Home"
The next few days find me being watched around the clock. When Kili or Fili are not with me my new mother spends her time watching me. I am never alone; Kili's fear of losing me keeps me guarded.
I try to reassure my husband I can defend myself but he will not listen. So I do as he asks to ease his mind.
On one snowy day Thorin asks Fili and Kili to ride with him and Dwalen to Nogland to meet with the dwarves of the east. Having traveled that road myself I knew he would be gone for a few days and my heart feels his absents already.
Saying my goodbyes to him and Fili at the stables, I take this opportunity to kiss him and hold him till my heart overflows. "Travel safe Kili and know I love you.
He pulls the Lorien Leaf necklace from under his shirt, holding it in his hand. "I take you with me always."
Fili gives me a big bear hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Don't worry Ruunya, I've been looking after this one all my life. I'll get him back to you, promise." He winks his cool blue eye at me, making me giggle.
Thorin looks down at me from atop his horse, his kingly manner always about him. "The workers will have your new dwellings completed by spring. Take Dis to the valley and make sure it is to your liking. Ruunya, you are my niece now, whatever you want will be yours.
I take whatever form of kindness I can get from Thorin. The icy shield around him cracks daily with me and I hope when my child comes in the fall it will be all but gone.
Returning to the Hall I find Dis has other plans for me. Inside the Great Hall are four dwarven women, all ages and sizes.
Looking about I see reams of material in a variety of colors. I knew today Dis would have me tucked and pinned, cinched and laced. The dressmakers huddle around, taking my measurements and rolling out the material.
By the end of the afternoon I have been fitted for at least four different dresses. Dis calls for a break, our lunch had arrived.
Eating the bowl of mutton stew I grin at the thought of Kili and Fili staring at me that day in Padalin's house. Dis looks over at me with a questioning look. "Are you thinking about Kili?
"Yes. You know I never ate meat till a few months ago. This child is defiantly half dwarf. All these new cravings are strange to me. The farther I get into my pregnancy the more I crave meat and … sex." I watch Dis's smile cut into her cheeks, her fingers lacing together.
"Oh my Ruunya, your elven tongue has been spoiled by my son's dwarvish ways. That is natural my dear, well … among dwarves that is. I'm not sure if elves feel the same way. You'll find relations with your husband to be most pleasurable during this time. Being an elf I'm sure your urges won't wane like dwarven women. I'm afraid my son is in for a long eight months." She picks up her cup, grinning at me over the brim.
As we finish our lunch a small dwarven boy comes in the hall, he couldn't have stood three feet and looks so young.
"A rider from Duillond is at the gate for Ruuyna, he's an elf." The young boy looks like he is about to jump out of his skin.
"By all means Ruunya, let's not keep him waiting." Dis places her cup back on the tray and we make our way to the front gate.
On the other side of the large black gates is a pristine white horse with a ride adorned in polished silver armor. The rider's perfect white hair lets me know this could only be Amdor.
I pass by the dwarven guards, their bows and swords at the ready. Dis watches nervously as I exit the gate.
Amdor removes his helmet, his grey eyes smiling down at me. "I have a letter from Rivendell. It has traveled across the Misty Mountains through The Shire and to our door. It is to you from Lord Elrond himself."
He hands me the folded parchment, his hand baring the scar from our altercations. "Thank you Amdor, give my thanks to your mother as well. Travel safely back to Duillond my friend."
Placing his helmet back on he rides off, the winter sun beaming off his armor. I look down to the letter in my hand, the crest of Rivendell embossed in wax on the seal.
Dis looks at me as I re-enter the gate, her gaze set on my hands. "Did you receive word from Rivendell?"
"I did. It is from my uncle. I suppose Galadriel has told him all about my marriage and Kili." My anxiety shows on my face as Dis wraps a comforting arm around my shoulders.
Sitting in my nook by the window I open the letter, Elrond's graceful words lying out before me. Elrond had written the letter in elvish, the letters curving and bending across the page.
Ruunya, I hope this letter finds you well. The matter of your marriage to the dwarven prince Kili has come to my attention. I give you my blessing and know that you will make an excellent wife. Arwen assures me that anything less is futile. If this be the path you truly wish to walk take it knowing Rivendell will always be your home. Galadriel has also informed me that you will grace the young prince with a child soon. I hope you raise the child to know of its elvish heritage, do not forget that. In saying this I am sending you a midwife from Rivendell. An elven maiden should be cared for properly. Expect her arrival soon after this letter. May the light of Earendil always shine on you daughter.
Clutching the letter to my breasts I feel my tears fall gently on my face. I did miss my elven father so and my sweet sister Arwen. I make a vow to myself to travel back to Rivendell when my child is born.
I go to find Dis, she should know of my guest's arrival. To have another elf in the palace would give me great comfort. I only hope she can find comfort herself. My curiosity was well beyond peaked, my feet pacing my room waiting for word of her arrival.
Dis makes preparations for my midwife, giving her sleeping quarters next to mine. Her room was quaint but homely. I decorate it the best I can trying to make it look more like an elven dwelling instead of a dwarven one.
Night falls and my guest had not arrived. I toss in turn in my bed, my arms aching to hold my Kili. I picture his face, his warm smoldering eyes and long to have him kiss me. I run my finger along my lips and feel a heat flow over me. My hunger to be one with my husband had consumed me as I rush to the window.
Gazing across the snow covered land I see two riders approaching the gate. I throw on my dress and boots and hurry off to the greet them. With my green cloak about my shoulders I wait at the bottom of the guard tower for any news.
The dwarven guard remarks on how cold the night is and I nod to him. He glances at me once or twice, his dark eyes studying me. "You're Kili's wife, the elf."
"You say that like it is a bad thing." I remark back to him, my smile most devilish.
He turns his head back towards the front, his eyes never looking at me again. As the riders get closer I see him stiffen up, his hand holding tight to the hilt of his sword.
The riders stop, two dwarven guards go out to them. I watch as they exchange words. One rider is wearing a dark blue cloak with silver trim while the other a green cloak like mine.
The guard looks up to me, waving for the guard beside me to bring me down. We walk to the gate, the blue cloaked rider dismounting and walking to me.
Lowering his hood I see the face of my dearest Elrohir. "Elrohir, where is your brother? I have never seen you without your twin Elladan." For Elrond to send his own son to escort my midwife means so much.
"He came with me, he stayed at Duillond to deal with Fema's son Ollan. Father as well as grandmother are very upset with him. Come, let me introduce you to your midwife." Elrohir places his hand on my back, walking to the figure in the green cloak.
The elven maiden drops her hood, her long dark hair shines in the moonlight. She looks down at me with deep blue eyes and gives me a warm smile. "I am Arvandora, it is my honor to serve you in our time of need."
"I remember you. Your mother Vandara was midwife to my Aunt Celebrain. Welcome to Thorin's Hall, I am Ruunya." I nod my head to her as she does the same to me.
Elrohir embraces me gently, his soft eyes smiling back at me. Slipping a letter into my hand he kisses my cheek and is quickly off. The dwarven guard leads Arvandora's horse through the gate.
Walking her to her quarters I let her get settled in, morning was almost upon us. "Ruunya, tomorrow we will need to discuss the child. I will seek you out after breakfast."
"Very well Arvandora, till then." I close the door behind me and hurry off to my room.
Sitting on my bed I open the letter Elrohir slipped into my hand. I instantly notice the writing to be Arwen's.
Dearest sister, I have sent this letter in secret by my brother Elrohir. There are things in Rivendell you must know of. Arvandora knows of them as well and I have asked her to be ever mindful of them. Thranduil of Mirkwood has asked for a council with Father. I have heard that his son Legolas wishes to marry you and means to ask Elrond for your hand. Thranduil wishes that your marriage not be given the blessing by the elven council but Father and Grandmother have already granted it. I ask that neither you nor your new husband travel by Mirkwood ever again. You will not find a friend in those woods. My brothers' travel to Duillond to give Fema and Orin my Father's warning. You and Kili are not to be disturbed; no elven intervention shall pass your way. I sense darkness about you my dear sister, please tread lightly in the dwarven land.
I had expected words of kindness, of how she missed me but instead I receive a warning and hope my dear Arwen is safe.
Resting my head on Kili's pillow I take in his scent, the smell of the earth after a hard rain. With Arwen's letter in my hands I try to find sleep, hoping the days till Kili's return goes by swiftly.