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On privilege and friendships
He paced in front of his throne heavily, with his hands crossed behind his back. His face was brooding and his eyes unreadable inside the dimply lit cavern with the broken windows, the partly collapsed bridges and the empty throne. The cut off head of one of the statues that stood quite sentinels to the Mountain King, served only to remind him of the last day he stood here with his grandfather Thror, fighting over the accursed King's gem as Smaug was attacking their city. He looked up at the column that connected with the mountain itself and his lips twitched indicating his disapproval. Only one more time had he stood there overlooking the empty place of the King's gem, but then he was being consumed by the sickness...a sad shadow of his former self. The moment he came close to the throne, the brightness of Eilin quickly faded away and the fire he had felt for her got easily dissipated under the heavy footprints of his past. Instead of trying to eliminate those grim feelings, he fed his introspection with them, intending to use every single bit of their darkness against Fain's daughter. Overtaken as he was by these thoughts, he didn't realise how much he resembled his grandfather at that moment. The only thing that separated him from Thror was the coronet he was wearing, instead of the raven crown. He stood like an apparition from the past, a reborn heir of Durin, a silent sentinel himself of his heavy lineage, in front of Erebor's golden throne until the military tempo of Dwalin's boots made him look up darkly. Eilin's offender was running after his best friend, trying to catch up. He began pacing in front of his throne again like a lion inside a cage, until Dwalin and Karunn stopped under the final steps that led to the throne and bowed.
"Lady Karunn, daughter of Lord Fain, your majesty", Dwalin said.
He turned to his friend, "leave us".
Dwalin bowed again and left. When they were alone, Thorin stopped and placed his heavy boot on the first step of the throne. His brows came together sternly, but the look in his eyes was veiled. He allowed the silence to feed this insolent woman's nervousness for a rather long stretch of time until she decided to addressed him in obvious confusion.
"Men Uzbad, I am at your orders", her voice reminded him of the purple bruising on Eilin's collarbone and his mood turned dangerously hostile.
He turned a frozen gaze at her, that would have stripped down anyone's resolution.
She looked around her slightly uneasy, "You called on me Sir?"
His thick brow rose slowly.
She inhaled deeply and stippled her fingers, "Sir?"
His eyes narrowed, "Your name is Karunn?"
She exhaled in relief as his innocent question began dissipating the clouds of doubt that had gathered around her upon arrival, "Yes, my Lord".
"Your first time in Erebor?"
"Yes, my Lord", she smiled widely.
"Of course. This stronghold was abandoned long before you were conceived by Fain and his wife", he continued with the same darkly quiet voice.
"Indeed my Lord", she agreed.
"Dain spoke about you and your sister with the highest of praise. Tell me a few things about yourself", he removed his heavy gaze from her and looked at his throne.
Her eyes looked up eagerly, "Like what my Lord?"
"Anything you might deem as..." his lips twitched in cynicism, "...important".
She looked at the floor thoughtfully for a few moments, "I was born in the Ironhills in 1888 and I was alone for five years before Valdis arrived. I love to write stories. I can sing tolerably well, but most of the times I avoid it since my sister sings much better. I've studied the history of our forefathers and the elder scrolls for fifteen years and I know how to write and read very well. I enjoy riding, swimming and drawing".
He frowned with his back turned at her, "Have you ever travelled outside the Ironhills?"
"Never my Lord".
"Why?"
"The need never arose".
"So this is your first time away from the safe enclosure of your city", he said thoughtfully.
"Yes and isn't it an amazing experience indeed?" She smiled as much as her stiff personality allowed her. She still couldn't understand what was the point in all this. It wasn't as if the King was suddenly interested in her personally more than he would be at her sister.
"Apart from your academic studies, were you taught any trades that you could use to support yourself?"
"What do you mean my Lord?" She asked confused.
He raised a brow at his throne, "which ability of yours would you sell if you needed to earn some money?"
She felt totally confounded, "I don't need that. My family has a lot of money already".
"Let us assume madame, that you are penniless. What trade would you use to feed yourself and your family..." his voice dropped.
She cringed and bit her lower lip, "I don't know. I have never thought about that my Lord, forgive me".
His lips turned into a sarcastic smile, "You are ignorant of such toil and trouble".
"Yes, thank Vala Aule, my Lord." She bowed.
"Leave Mahal out of this and thank your father. He was the one that slaved for you to be in this privileged position", he rebuked coldly.
"I am thanking him everyday my Lord", she bowed. The faint feeling that she was being accused of something was becoming stronger with each word that was coming out of the King's mouth.
"Has your father ever spoken to you about his early days here in Erebor?" He leaned down and picked up a golden piece that had broken free from the arm of his throne.
"Yes my Lord, always with the most heartfelt words about those precious days", she smiled carefully.
"Has he spoken about the grandeur of this city?"
"He never stopped my Lord! He spoke of the golden gilded ladders and the silver floors. Of the engraved ceilings full of precious gems like the moon room. The statues of our forefathers, that reached the top of the caverns under the mountain and the hot springs that boiled from the volcanoes below. The monstrous furnaces that burned day and night to warm up the beautiful homes and the great trading centres that many villages and cities around Erebor used to come in order to buy jewellery, armoury and weapons forged by our great blacksmiths. He spoke of the clear waters that passed through the mountain and spilled from the side of it's gates as if Erebor was feeding life and wisdom the rest of the world. He spoke of the mighty Kings that were dressed in golden embroidery and had beards full of precious stones. He told us about the King's gem that shown brighter than the sun above the throne...the heart of the mountain! He spoke of the prosperous life the lords and ladies of this grant stronghold led and the rivers of gold in it's treasuries…the equals of which no one could find anywhere else in Middle Earth!"
"We just found the first mistake of your father", he turned the golden piece in his large hands.
She frowned, "what mistake do you mean my Lord?"
"He spoke of Erebor's wealth and prosperity, which was the result of hard labour from the working class of Durin's folk, but never about them".
She remained silent, feeling like she was walking into a trap.
He raised his brow and kicked his throne dismissively, "This elaborate throne, this room, these statues and the arkenstone that used to be up there", he pointed with his hand, "were all created by men and women, whom you wouldn't have deemed worthy of your respect! Not dwarf-lords, nor the King".
She gasped and averted her eyes.
He smirked, "Dirty, tired, unschooled, smelly workers madame….ever heard of them inside the privileged bubble your precious father has raised you in?"
She shook her head, "of course…I…"
He spoke over her with a deep authoritative voice that send shivers down her spine. "Masons, delvers, woodsmen, miners, forgers, hunters, water-works masters, brimstone masters, carvers, jewellers, traders, cleaners, cooks….soldiers….people that sacrifice themselves and offer their labour so you can be alive and full of arrogance. Ever heard of them?" He turned around and his eyes were openly angry.
It was the first moment she felt that she had not been called here for anything good. "My Lord of course…" she bowed.
"Did your father ever describe to you how much he laboured when the dragon took Erebor and he went into exile with his brother and father?"
She nodded and swallowed her tongue.
"Did he speak about the abhorring conditions of poverty he had to sustain in order to build a new home for his family?"
She nodded quickly again.
"He mustn't have done a very good job then. Do you think when Nain decided to separate from us and locate his people in the Ironhills, they had all this wealth you were raised in?"
She shook her head and averted her eyes from his demanding stare.
"Do you think he did not labour for his people or his family as much as your father laboured for you and your sister?"
"I know he did my Lord…"
"Silence!" Came the thundering command, that made her jitter and close her eyes. Cold sweat broke on her forehead.
"Your life in the Ironhills was paved on gold that was created by the sweat, tears, blood and hard work of the people you don't deem worthy of your respect!" He snapped and discarded the broken piece violently.
As it clanked on the marble floor she jerked and felt the colour draining from her face.
"When Dain introduced you and your sister as iron maidens I expected to see honour and pride, but above all kindness and empathy for those who were unlucky enough to be born under your command. I was ultimately disappointed from the work that your beloved father has done for your upbringing".
"I have disappointed you my Lord." Her voice was diminished.
He crossed his arms behind his back, "My grandfather Thror was a fair man. He respected the work of each man and woman living in Erebor. From the lowest miner that dug up the heart of the Mountain, to his highest commander. He was not judging people according to birth rights, but on character, which was admirable. He believed in equality for all, as all are born equal under Vala Aule, no matter that some must lead and some must follow. The followers though are not valued less than the leaders".
Her fingers stippled hard in front of her trousers and she was sweating profusely.
"My father Thrain was equally fair to all in the Blue Mountains. As for me...", his low chuckle sounded terrifying to her in the context of his scolding, "...you were unlucky to have fallen into my path…". His eyes darkened, as they concentrated on their target.
She swallowed hard and closed her eyes.
"Acts of violence are not tolerated in these walls, while I am their ruler. Acts of violence that specifically target unprivileged members of our city, especially unprovoked will be seriously reprimanded", his voice dropped several octaves as he walked slowly towards her.
"Sir...please", she sniffled.
His shoulder almost brushed with hers and he stopped next to her. Towering over her, diminishing her with his stature alone. "My father taught me that it was dishonourable to mishandle women in any form, physical or otherwise. In my two hundred years of life, nothing was able to bend my resolve to follow his ethical teachings, not even my dealings with the lowest scambags. Yet you madam, are the first woman that shook my beliefs to the core", he hissed closed to her face.
"My Lord please…you are scaring me", she muttered and tears fell freely from her closed eyes.
"I would be unable to live with myself if I stroke you down right now, and that's the only thing that's keeping me from doing it, not my father's teachings", he spat through gritted teeth.
A hard sob left her chest and she cupped her mouth and looked away from him.
"You physically attacked Eilin Firebeard causing her several wounds. That was the final straw in a series of verbal attacks that my sister and my comrades have witnessed in the past", he pulled back and quickly regained his composure on the outside even though his hands were trembling from the sudden rush of adrenaline.
"I am so sorry, please allow me to fix all this…I will do my best," she opened her eyes and looked at him pleadingly.
"I yearn to force you to apologise to Eilin in the presence of all my court and all the dwarf-lords of the army, but the immense respect I have for your father and uncle are stopping me. They are the ones that have earned you this last thread of patience from me. Next time I see you causing grief to any member of this city, I will imprison you and you shall forego a public trial".
She exhaled and gritted her teeth against his assault, but more against her hatred towards the stable girl who brought her into this unfortunate position, "Never shall it be repeated my Lord", she tried to stop her tears, becoming angrier by the minute.
"Do you have anything to say on your defence?" He closed his eyes trying to keep his temper at bay.
"I tried to protect my sister", came the wavering answer.
"Your sister was in danger from my maiden?" his brow rose.
She shook her head and her jawline tensed painfully. She couldn't reveal the real reason of attacking the bitch, without this becoming even more serious than it already was, "No, no Sir. I overreacted...please forgive me".
"Your actions were unworthy of a Durin's maiden. They were dishonourable, despicable and vile. You will remove yourself from my sister's company on your own accord. Find a plausible explanation why you chose to do so".
"Yes, my Lord", she bowed down feeling her knees weak and trembling.
"You will never approach Eilin Firebeard again, and you shall not address her in any manner whatsoever. If I even see you looking at her the wrong way, I will become your worst nightmare. You won't find a single place to hide in Middle Earth", he said coldly.
"I will not my Lord. Must I leave Erebor?"
"After what has taken place, I will let common sense lead you to the appropriate decisions", he squared his shoulders towards his throne.
"My sister?"
"She remains".
"At your orders my Lord," she bowed..
"Get the hell out of here before my temper runs out. I feel devastated to call one of Fain's daughters a lesser woman. Begone!", he spat and didn't even honour her with a look.
She bit her lower lip till blood spilled into her mouth and run away from the throne room without raising her head. That moment Thorin didn't know that he made a lethal enemy who swore to strain every single inch of happiness from him, if only she was given the opportunity. The only thing he knew was that this altercation had blown away the blissful content he had felt a little while ago in Eilin's arms. He forgot all about his promise to go find her that afternoon in the river along with his comrades and all he was able to do was brood in front of his throne for a long time. When he finally decided to leave he met Dwalin the moment he took the bridge on the right. He stood there quietly with his arms crossed above his war axe. Thorin stopped with his head bowed next to him, "How long have you been here?"
"Since you told me to leave", Dwalin said nonchalantly.
Thorin nodded.
"You came very close to creating your first diplomatic episode since escaping death. Didn't take you too long to get back in shape", he friend smirked.
Thorin's lips turned down, "Proud of me?"
Dwalin tilted his head, "You've given me ample reasons to be proud to have you as my King. That speech of yours, was certainly one of them".
Thorin's eyes darkened, "This doesn't get out".
"You didn't need to warn me of the bleeding obvious. Is Eilin alright?"
Thorin raised his brow and nodded, "Yes. She is a brave girl".
Dwalin cast his eyes down and remained silent.
"Get some masons tomorrow and clean this wreck up will you?" He tilted his head back towards the throne room.
Dwalin's lips upturned in a slow smile, "with pleasure. It was about time. Maybe I should pass that order to my brother, he will be elated".
"Do what you want", Thorin's hand landed on his shoulder and squeezed it, but his eyes were downcast.
"Lunch is over. Everyone has withdrawn to rest for noon. You want company?", Dwalin looked at him with care.
Thorin shook his head, "I will go to the burial vaults for a while".
Dwalin frowned, "Aren't you coming at Bofur's swimming exploit? It will be good for our company to be back together for a night of fun, right?"
Thorin smiled, "it's much later isn't it? I will make an effort since I promised Eilin".
Dwalin's mouth broke into a knowledgeable smile, "I see".
Thorin's face fell.
"Don't stay too long down there. Let the dead keep in the company of the dead, and the living with the living" Dwalin's eyes were worried.
"Alright", he said and walked away from his friend who observed him with silent solicitude.
"Damn it's bloody frozen", Eilin said and felt her teeth rattling.
"You, young lady, didn't drink enough to attempt a swim in such low temperatures!" Dori smiled from the shore and raised his cup.
"You, mister Dori, haven't even tested the waters with your fingers!" She rebuked and tried to swim around in order to warm herself.
"What do you think I am? Some kind of an idiot?" Dori said and looked at young Ori. They both laughed.
"She is not a dam, therefore I must assume that she doesn't have the famous dwarven resistance to extreme temperatures", Ori noted when they settled down with an academic interest and opened up his book in order to scribble something down.
She swam towards them.
"You are a dwarf and you still have less resilience and stamina than this girl," Dori said cleverly.
Ori cringed, "that's true. So do you think there is something wrong then with my body?"
"What's wrong is that you cannot lift a mace to save your life", Dori raised his brow testily.
"I can lift Dwalin's war-hammer!" Ori said picked.
"Stick with the scribes my boy, because no one else is going to do that for us and the generations to come will need to read about the reclaiming of the Lonely Mountain and the bravery of Thorin's company".
Ori sighed in relief, "I love doing that".
Dori leaned over and raised his brow, "Even though this part doesn't belong in our epic journey. Why did you go and put in details about half dwarfish people and their stamina levels for Mahal's beard?"
Eilin smiled, "You wrote something about me in there?"
Ori nodded and offered her a wide smile, "I find you extremely interesting to be truthful. From an academic point of view of course!"
Nori sat down next to them and bit an apple, "academic of course…." He humphed.
"Academic indeed! It is extremely interesting to catalogue and document what the fusion of two races can produce. Where else have you seen someone like her? She is unique".
"I don't know if I am supposed to feel offended by that or honoured", she said and her lips retracted.
Ori hurried, "honoured of course. I want to document everything about you. I mean look, now I've written that even though you are far thinner than the typical dam, and even though you also look thin boned, you have almost the same stamina levels against the cold. Therefore I must deduct against heat likewise…" he whispered to himself and scribed that down quickly.
Nori chuckled, "You are under a magnifying glass from my brother and Bofur alike. Each one for a different reason", he looked at Dori and raised his brow playfully.
She looked away quickly.
"Oh, leave the poor girl alone. Isn't it enough that Bofur rans after her whenever he's got the chance?" Dori waved them off, "You don't have to pretend deafness my dear. Turn around. We are not judging you, but that nose-picking toy maker who didn't feed you enough ale in order to send you to your death. Are you cold?" He asked in concern.
She shook her head surprised that she was actually quite warm, "Not anymore".
"See? She's adapted far easier in these harsh condition than expected for her body type. It's the dwarfish blood in her…" Ori murmured and began scribbling again.
"Aren't you going to try a dip?" Nori raised his brow at Dori.
"No, I am getting far too old for this foolishness. Try to convince your brother", Dori shook his head annoyed.
"You, Balin and Oin have become grumpy old men. Only Gloin and Dwalin know how to still have fun from that advanced age group", Nori poked.
"Advanced aged group…oh you little maggot, bring me my mace and I'll show you how well I have aged…." Dori looked cross at his younger brother….then in an afterthought his brow cleared, "come to think of it where is Balin and Dwalin? Didn't they come?"
Eilin got suddenly animated.
Nori finished the apple and pointed at a large group that was playing in the waters, "Dwalin is here alright, you just didn't see him. Balin is with Fili and Dain. Have no idea what they are doing. Probably conniving schemes about Erebor".
Eilin looked at the large gathering and saw Bombur jumping off a boulder and landing in the midst of them, making everyone scatter away quickly. "What about the King?" she asked.
Nori's brow rose slowly to the top of his forehead and he humphed.
"I don't know, was Thorin supposed to come? I'd have thought that with the delegations, his sister and with commanding this damned place he wouldn't have had any time to partake in our little gathering", Dori said casually.
"Indeed, was Thorin supposed to come?" Nori peered at her.
She sobered up, "what? are you asking me?"
Nori tilted his head curiously, "Yes".
"How am I supposed to know?" She pouted and began swimming again just in order to get away from that man's questioning.
"You are his maiden, if I am not mistaken", Nori said cheekily.
"He didn't inform me about tonight", she brushed him off and took a dive under the water that made her resurface several feet away from them.
"She's right, why are you interrogating her about Thorin? Go take another swim brother and stop bothering her", Dori scowled at Nori.
"Fine", Nori said wryly. He stood up and threw the stub of the apple at his brother who caught it mid air. Then he walked away from them as silently as he had arrived.
She exhaled a whole bout of unease that didn't last long as someone pulled her by the leg and drew her under. She was not prepared and she downed a lot of water before resurfacing. She thrashed trying to get rid of her assailant and coughed like mad.
Dori kneeled and offered his hand, "What's gotten into you, you hanky-waving sissy? You almost drowned the poor girl! Here take my hand my dear!"
Bofur frowned, "Oi! That offence is battle worthy! I was just playing around with her. Didn't think I was going to drown her in the process".
Eilin cleared her eyes as her cough faded, "I was not prepared for that", she said sullenly.
"I am sorry, here I'll help you out", Bofur offered and led her to the shore. There Dori caught her hand and she was drawn out.
"Sit down, I'll bring you a towel", Ori said and went off.
"I'll bring you a drink lassie, you need it to warm up", Dori said and stood up also.
"Thank you", she called after them.
"Are you alright?" Bofur pulled himself out of the water and sat down next to her.
She nodded and wiped her face, "Yes, don't worry".
"I just wanted to play with you", Bofur explained with a devastated cringe.
"Warn me beforehand please," she smiled at him.
"I will do so next time. Did you enjoy your swim?"
"Surprisingly so, are the waters warmer than expected or was it my idea?" She looked at him curiously.
"The river passes through the mountain close to the volcano that lies underneath. It is not nearly as warm as the hot springs, but it can hold its own against the snow of the north. Did you think we would be daft enough to swim in frozen waters just as winter starts up? The cold in the Lonely Mountain is vile and difficult on the skin, even for dwarves. We swim close to the waterfall of the River Running as it spills out of the mountain still relatively warm", Bofur explained and crossed his arms in front of his knees.
She smiled, "then I have to tell Ori that it was not my part-dwarven stamina that allowed me to resist the cold".
"No, waters are still too cold for anyone else but us", Bofur winked at her.
She looked down with a sweet smile, "That's good then!"
Bofur pretended to observe the river for a few silent moments and then he cleared his throat, "Ahem, I really wanted to talk to you since this morning you know", he hesitated.
"What about?" She searched his face.
"about that flower crown…" he flicked one shoulder looking uncertain.
She rolled her eyes, "Bofur, I didn't make it for anyone, honestly".
Bofur's lips puckered coyly, "Pity and I was ready to offer you one of my best hair beads".
She pulled back shocked and paled, "you certainly shouldn't do that!"
Bofur's light-heartedness got slowly replaced by a veiled look, "I was just teasing, but your answer sounded pretty serious".
She bit her lower lip, "It is pretty serious. You shouldn't ever consider giving me any kind of romantic tokens, please".
"It's something I am missing here isn't it?", he drew straight and his face fell.
She felt regret slapping her hard, but she didn't relent. Not now after what had taken place between her and Thorin. She wasn't going to lead anyone into a lost game. Even if Bofur was probably just joking about all this since the beginning, "I like your company a lot, but not in this manner".
"If you should know, it was just friendship I was seeking out of you", Bofur picked up a stone and threw it into the waters.
She sighed in relief, "Then I am sorry for acting so tensely about an obvious joke you made. I am not good at understanding humour", she smiled sadly. She had been unable to detect Thorin's humour in several occasions also.
"Never mind. It's better to clear up these things you know", he looked at her fleetingly.
"Why so, since friendship is what we both wanted?" She fixed her eyes at him.
"Just to be on the safe side", he said and pushed himself up.
"Are you leaving?" She said in confusion.
"Yeah, need to stop Bifur from bashing Gloin's head in. They've gotten into a fight, see?" He said and pointed at the river.
"Okay", she looked at him totally with uncertainty as he walked away.
Then she settled down with a deep dark frown, feeling her body rather cold and her mood deteriorating from the absence of Thorin and from what happened with Bofur just now. She remained there waiting for Ori and Dori to return so when a warm coat fell on her shoulders she smiled at her knees, "Thank you mister Dori".
"Have a drink", the solemn voice of Dwalin made her look up at him surprised.
"Oh, I thought the brothers had returned", she took the cup from his hand.
He sat down next to her, totally unbothered that he was down to his long jones and dripping wet. He didn't seem cold at all, "I intercepted them".
She took a sip "Why?"
"Needed to have a word with you", he said and crossed his arms in front of his knees.
She recoiled, "What for, mister Dwalin?"
"I overheard your talk with Bofur", he noted.
She blanched, "listening in on private conversations is not appropriate my Lord".
"In a certain context it is not only appropriate, but a must", he replied mystically.
"What do you mean?", she frowned down at her drink.
"I'll do the talking, you'll do the listening, okay?"
She paled, "Alright".
"You do know how difficult it is for dwarves to pick a romantic partner, correct?"
"Yes".
"Dwarves choose for life most of the times. We don't go around giving off hair beads, rings, or flower crowns, just for the sake of it, to anyone that might be pleasing to the eye".
"I understand", she felt her voice diminishing.
"Therefore what you did with Bofur was honourable, but almost too late. He had been courting you since you've arrived. It's not nice to lead a dwarf on, if you don't intend to reciprocate their romance", he said sternly.
"I was never certain about Bofur. I had my suspicions, but he always made a joke out of his advances. I would have cleared up things much earlier, had I known for certain. I may be just a service girl, but I know how to respect someone's feelings and not lead them on", she said cautiously.
He nodded, "Very well and that lands us on the hot topic. Don't lead a dwarf on, if your don't intend to reciprocate their romance".
"We just said that", she frowned confused.
"I am not talking about Bofur this time young lady, but about a very close friend of mine".
She blanched and averted her eyes, "I don't know what you are talking about".
"Even though I appreciate your secrecy, I will tell you a few things and you will listen carefully", his voice dropped.
She bit her lower lip and buried her chin between her knees.
"Thorin's heart has been broken in the past and after a century it hasn't mended fully. What happened is up to him to reveal, but I am his friend and I will protect him not only in battle, but in every other possible way. I haven't seen him approach a woman in ages and that means he is serious about you. If you don't feel the same way, then back off now, like you did with Bofur, before he gets hurt again. I don't care about your bloodline, where you came from or where you worked and slept before all this. I don't care about your different appearance, that I know practically nothing about you or that I cannot trace your past anywhere. I only care about my friend and how you treat him", his eyes felt like led on her.
Her heart cried out in pain.
"Now tell me…", he gritted his teeth.
"I ache for him…" she whispered and her eyes held all the honesty he was expecting to see from her.
He pulled back and his countenance mellowed up, "then you have a strong ally by your side, young lady".
She wiped away her tears, "I am speaking from the heart".
"I believe you" he said and looked thoughtfully at the river.
"How did you know?" She whispered feeling a wave of comforting warmth spreading at her frozen hands and feet.
"You two are not as discreet as you must be. A matter to address at a different time, not now", he took her cup, "now we drink to get warm and forget we've ever had this conversation", he took a few sips and handed the cup back to her.
"Are you letting me off the hook so easily?" She dared a look at him. No matter how much Thorin used to scare her before they came close, this dwarf was scaring her even more.
He snorted, "I am not out for punishment. I am out to protect the ones I love dearly. You've just met him. I've known him for two hundred years. More than you will ever live, dare I assume".
She looked at her crossed fingers and bit both lips in determination, "I know I've only just met him, but my loyalty to him is just as fierce as yours…"
Dwalin's brow rose critically, "You've given good indications up to now, but everything else remains to be seen".
"I am under a magnifying glass…and already more exposed than I could have ever wished for. Not that all this wasn't expected", she frowned and felt her back shuddering.
"Having regrets?" He sipped some mead and passed it over to her.
"Never, even though not everyone is as well predisposed towards me as you mister Dwalin," her voice dropped.
He smirked, "Oh, the ones with nasty predispositions towards you, are already feeling very regretful for their choices".
She frowned in confusion and opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Was he talking about Karunn and if yes, how the hell did he know? Was it possible that Thorin spoke to him about it? Judging from how many years they knew each other and how close their relationship was, there was a good possibility. Was it wise for her to name names and ask though? She shook her head against that folly. "Thank you for treating me with fairness".
"As long as you are treating my friend well, you have a strong ally", he replied calmly.
They shared the ale silently for a long time, enjoying the pale moon that was peaking out of the clouds every now and then. Listening at the happy conversations of their companions and the laughter of the ladies that Nori had brought over. Finally she took up the courage to ask the question that had been bothering her like mad all this time. "Do you know why he hasn't come yet?". Her need to see Thorin felt almost unbearable, especially after the heavy words of Dwalin.
"I left him at noon as he was going down to the burial vaults. Haven't seen him since, but I bet there is a good chance of him still being down there", he said and his tone took a grim shade that worried her.
She stood up quietly and offered back his coat, "I'll go find him. Thank you for the talk and for the coat".
"Keep it", he waved her off.
She smiled and turned, with every single cell in her body magnetising towards Erebor and on the dire need of finding Thorin, when she suddenly yelped in terror and stepped on Dwalin's hand, who groaned painfully, "Hey!"
"Did I scare you?" Thorin's smile was reserved, but his eyes were affectionate.
A/N: Left canon on several occasions there, forgive me.
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