Coming Of Age – Chapter 28

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"I'm a Nogrod?" Lee exclaimed, horrified.

Thorin held her injured hand as he kissed her gently, "So it would seemed, my dear."

Thrain and Nur came to stand before her, "Well, if you are a true Nogrod, I'd rather you than those frauds any day!" Thrain declared with a smile as he put his hand on her shoulder for comfort. Nur nodded.

Lee looked at the King, "I don't know if my father knew who he is, all his life all he knew is metal making."

Oin had came back by this time with a medicine bottle and began to apply ointment to the slash on her palm and began binding her hand, she thanked him gratefully. "It seemed Master Oin, you have saved me once again." She reached over and kissed him on his cheek, earning her a pair of bright red rosy cheeks which he bashfully waved her off.

"Lee, really your dagger, indeed it is the one that saved it all!" Dwalin was admiring his dagger, as was Balin.

"Indeed, sharp little bugger." Balin agreed as he put his dagger into his boot. "Thank goodness we had these handy." He patted it as he stepped away.

Thorin watched her, "I think we should pay your father and Crimm a visit as soon as possible. They need to know what is going on, Lee and we have quite a few questions for them that require answers."

She looked at him and nodded, "Yes Thorin you're right, I have quite a few myself."

"And we're going with you, of course." Balin said.

Thorin rolled his eyes, "Of course, cousin, I wouldn't leave you out of it."

"Oi! Count us in!" Oin, Gloin, and Dwalin nodded as well.

Lee looked at her beloved and said, "Well, so it would seem. Saddle up fellas! I hope my best friend Grakarbor is up for another trip to Dale."

Thorin flashed her his bright blue eyes which made her heart thumped hard as said, "Oh, that old beast is always up for a ride on any day, my dear."

Thrain and Nur watched them leave with a wave and nod, "Young people, always flitting about. Never home for long." Nur said with a sniffled.

Thrain looked at her with an arched look, "Hmm, I only wish they would be safe this time. They are still young."

Nur nodded as she sent out a silent plea to Aulë for protection on the young dwarves, especially ThoraLee.

…..

Lee rode on Grakarbor who seemed to be delighted to see her as well as Thorin who was now riding Frerin's pony.

As they drew near her home, Lee knew something was not right.

The front door was wide opened, Lee saw as she tried to dash in but Thorin held her as he waved to his cousins, "Check within." He said quietly, unsheathing his dagger.

They did likewise as they stealthily moved inside.

"Thorin, let me go! If anything happens to my father…Uncle Crimm…"tears began to flow down her cheeks as she struggled against Thorin's grasp.

"I know Lee but if they are fine, Balin will let us know! If the bad people are still within, you shouldn't be in there."

"I can handle myself," she argued.

"I know rúzín, but I don't know who or what we are dealing with."

She nodded and relented as she turned into him and sobbed, he held her as he looked about them.

There were signs of disturbance about them; the door had several scuffed marks that he knew were not there before in his previous visits. The decorations about the house were knocked down; yes, definitely a struggle but the question was when did it happen and he hoped that Erimm and Crimm were all right and unharmed. He knew Crimm was still strong to take care of himself and he had seen Erimm not long ago welding the deadly dagger. But they did not know what is going on, for all they know, the brothers might be in their cups, kicked up the decorations outside the house, kicked the door opened, forgot to close it and fell asleep within their beds. He hoped that was the case, for Lee's sake.

Then he recalled Gul Mored's reaction when Erimm's name was mentioned; he had known Erimm! And Crimm! And it was not on friendly terms. No, Thorin thought to himself, he really didn't like this whole situation at all.

Finally, he saw his cousins coming out of the house, their faces grim; not good. He held onto Lee a little tighter.

"I'm all right, Thorin." She assured him.

"I know but just in case…"

"Thorin, whoever took Erimm and Crimm, left a long time ago. And they left this." Balin held up a piece of cloth with the fake Nogrod insignia.

"Gul Mored," Thorin said grimly they nodded in agreement with him.

Lee squeezed her eyes tightly as she sobbed into his shoulder, "Where did he take them? That evil man knew my father is a Nogrod, why else would he take him and my uncle?"

Thorin held her tightly, "We will find them, Lee."

She looked up at him, "How? Do you know where they have been taken?"

Thorin was at a loss for words, for in truth, he did not know the answer.

"Somebody around town must have seen something." Balin said thoughtfully,

Lee turned to them, "What about the guard the King had sent forth to look after my father? And the maid?"

Balin shook his head, "We found them in the kitchen with a sword through them. Whatever they saw, they took to them with Mahal."

Lee cast her eyes down in sorrow for them and then she frowned when she saw white piece of paper on the ground. She bent down and picked up and began to read it.

Thorin saw her reading, "Lee? What is it?"

"A note…I think. It is my father's hand writing but it has one word; Eluin. The wood elf? How would Eluin help?" She looked up at Thorin. "I don't understand, what did this have to do with father and Uncle Crimm?"

"What are we waiting for, Thorin? Let's find the elf." Balin said. "The longer we stand here, the further Erimm and Crimm move from us."

"The wood elves live deep within the woods beyond the lake. I hope we can fine Eluin in time."

"Wait," Thorin held his hand up. "I must send a message up to Erebor, we must let my father know where we are heading."

They looked about them but there were no soldiers about them. They did not want to lose time going back to the palace when Thorin heard children laughing nearby and he remembered his father told him of a tiny solder who had pledged his service to his him.

His face lit up as he ran into Lee's house and upon spying papers and inkpot with a quill, he wrote on the paper quickly before he came back out and mounting the pony he asked Lee the direction of little Nuin's house. Lee nodded as she saw his intention and they all mounted their ponies and rode into Dale, surprising many of its denizens as they quickly scattered out of their way as Thorin, Lee and cousins rode till they arrived at a rather large house. Luckily for them, Nuin and Bels were playing outside on the large front lawn, his wooden sword by his side of his pants.

Thorin dismounted quickly and came into the lawn, calling Nuin before him.

Nuin was certainly surprised to see the Prince and his new big friends sitting upon the ponies looking solemn and seemed in a hurry. Bels greeted Lee cheerfully as she dismounted and stood beside Thorin, she return Bels greetings and inquired about herself and her mother while Thorin and Nuin talked.

Without wasting time, Thorin began, "Master Nuin, soldier of King Thrain of Erebor. Remember you have taken an oath to serve your King?"

Nuin nodded nervously.

Thorin continued, "Do not be afraid, little one, I have a serious matter for you to undertake to the palace, do you think you can do you it for me?"

Nuin nodded his head as he stood up straight, "Yes sir, you can count on me."

"Very well, young Master Nuin, I need you to deliver this to the King at once." He handed the rolled up paper.

Nuin received it reverently and looked up at Thorin and said, "Yes sir, I will do it at once."

Balin removed his Durin ring and gave it to Nuin, "Show this to the guards, and they will let you through. Don't lose it, Master Nuin, I will want it back when I return."

Nuin held the ring and the paper and nodded as he grinned, "Don't worry, sir. I will get them done."

"Very well, let's go." Thorin said as they all rode on. Bels waved them good bye as six ponies rode out of Dale and into the woods, circling the lake.

It was late in the afternoon when they entered the deep woods. Lee saw that much had changed in the dense trees, with overgrown roots and tall overgrown weeds and wild flowers and berry bushes. They dismounted from their ponies as they were moving slowly and hesitantly.

Lee found a small stream she remembered vaguely when she was little and decided to follow alongside, Thorin followed her lead.

"You know we left without any provisions." Gloin said glumly behind Thorin.

"Aye, and my medicine bag." Oin shook his head.

"Guys, these woods provided for the elves," Lee smiled at them, bending over to look for certain signs for the elves but saw nothing. "I'm sure we can survive like them." She stood up and began to look about them, the sun was setting.

"I think we should settle down and make camp near the stream. It is getting dark and I am getting hungry," She suggested.

Thorin glance behind him and saw his cousins' nodding enthusiastically. "Very well, Oin, Gloin, gather some woods for fire. Balin and Dwalin gather some dry leaves, we'll make some bedding. I'll hunt some rabbits for supper. Lee, secure the ponies."

"Now wait a minute here!" Lee flashed an angry look at him. "Who appointed you the leader of the group?" she jabbed a finger at his chest angrily.

Thorin looked down at her finger and gently removed it, "I am the oldest of the lot here, that makes me the leader of you lot," he stated simply as he inclined his head to her. His cousins nodded their heads to affirm his seniority.

Lee, hands on her hips, harrumphed as she kept her chin up and muttered under her breath sarcastically, "I guess I married an old man then."

Balin who was standing closest to her began to choke in his laughter as he turned redder than a red rose. Dwalin began thumping his brother's back.

"I heard you, insolent wench!" Thorin said but his eyes were twinkling as he moved away from the group. "Stay with my cousins and keep out of trouble. Please."

Lee did a curtsied as she said, "Yes, Your High and mighty Highness…" she didn't finish her sentence as she espied a rabbit under a bush near Thorin and quickly bent to retrieve her dagger and flicked it and within seconds, the rabbit was dead its hind leg still twitching.

"WOMAN!" Thorin's bright blue eyes were thunderous as he was about to step forward when the dagger came wheezing past him below his chin, missing him by a hair's breath. "Will you stop doing that with that blasted dagger!" he held out his hand angrily, "You'll not be allowed to have that confounded weapon if I have my way! I was this close to losing my head!" He was rubbing his neck quickly just to assure himself it was still attached.

Lee gave him a pained look, "No, Thorin! I just killed part of our dinner! I wouldn't have hurt you."

Dwalin and Balin was busily keeping out of their business as they were gathering the dead leaves.

Oin and Gloin, too were gathering sticks and twigs for fire. Oin spotted what he deemed was wild herbs for flavoring, also kept themselves out of the quarrels of the couple.

Thorin saw the hurt look in her eyes and felt he couldn't get angry with her for long; she did kill that rabbit, and she did not nick him. She was really a good marksman with the damn dagger! He had to give her that. She just couldn't resist scaring him to near death!

He softened his looks and picked up the dead rabbit and pulled the dagger out and saw she had pierced it right in its heart. The rabbit had died instantly. Deadly.

Handing her back the weapon and setting the rabbit down on the dirt, Thorin eyed her and said, "Come with me, two sets of eyes are better than one." He held out his hand to her. "You may help me with dinner."

Lee accepted his hand eagerly but before they moved he said to her, "Just watch my head, my dear. I am rather fond of it on my neck."

She nodded, "And I am rather fond of it and the rest of its body as well, Khazad-zukin." He growled at her lovingly as she nuzzled within his neck.

"Oh, for the love of Mahal… please go away the two of you! And get those rabbits killed!" Gloin griped unhappily. "I am starving here. This one rabbit is simply not enough for all of us! No more lovey talks please! I can't take it anymore!" He covered his ears as he tromped away muttering out loud as he shook his head.

Thorin and Lee laughed as they moved from the group and began their hunt.

About an hour later, three rabbits in each of Thorin's hands, six altogether. Thorin and Lee came back to a nice blaze going and a few sticks trimmed and sharpened for skewers.

Thorin and Oin quickly field dressed the rabbits by the stream, Oin stuffed and wrapped the rabbit and skewered them into the sticks and soon they were roasting in the fire pit.

Lee was sitting next to Thorin, snuggled into the crook of his arm while he was roasting both their rabbits in the other hand as she watched his cousin Oin and asked him why he was interested in healing.

Oin concentrated on his stick and his rabbit before he spoke.

"I was a dwarfling about ten when Gloin was seven and he fell off his pony learning how to ride for the first time. He broke his arm and we didn't have a healer in our town at the time, our healer had traveled to another town to assist in a difficult birth. Our mother was in hysterics as was Gloin. Father was in the mines and we have not seen him in months…"

"Was it the time when there was that huge cave-in..." Thorin cut in as he shook his head as he added. "Many lives were lost that day. My father mourned for the lost of his cousins for a long time. It was a while before he was persuaded to reopen that damn mine again."

"Why was that?" Lee asked.

"That was when we discovered more Mithril. It was not worth dying for, if you ask me." Thorin said angrily as he remembered that day when he lost most of his kinfolks; Oin and Gloin's father, Balin and Dwalin's father, among many more, all for the precious and rare metal.

"Thorin, I don't remember much of my father," Gloin said softly. "It did not hurt as much at all. Our mother, though, she never got over losing him. She loved him very much and I know it was a chore to raise us but she did. She loved us when she went to join him with Mahal. I always thought she died of a broken heart."

Oin blinked rapidly as he made to check on his skewer. "As I was saying, Gloin was in great pain and his elbow was bent off crookedly. I don't know what came over me but I just stood before him and yelled at him and snapped his bone back in place and that was that."

Lee chuckled, "No way that it was that, Master Oin."

Oin eyed her and laughed, "Yes indeed it was. But that day forward I became interested in healing and setting bones. Gloin never let me near him again when he fell."

Gloin grunted at him, "I did not. He laughed at me and called me a baby. Boxed his ears I did, or tried to one handed."

They all laughed at them as they began to argue as brothers would do.

Soon their rabbits were ready as they ate hungrily. When they were done, they buried the bones in the dirt and washed up in the stream.

"That was rather a delicious but tasteless rabbits!" They all agreed as laughed more and knew they had come unprepared in this journey. Oin tried to remind them that were he to have his medicine bag which also contained a container of salt, they would have tasty rabbits tonight but the group thanked his efforts nonetheless, Oin felt better.

"Well, it is getting late," Thorin said as he observed their drooping eyelids. "I'll take first watch. Then Balin, you will take second watch…after three or four hours, then Dwalin till morn."

They all nodded at their Leader and huddled down as close to the fire as possible on the bed of dead leaves Balin and Dwalin had made.

Lee was made to lie down between Thorin who was sitting up and Balin. For once she did not argue with him as she drifted off to sleep, her hand held safely within Thorin's.

Thorin watched her sleep during his watch, looking up through the trees he saw the stars shining down upon them as he bade Aulë for their protection, for their guidance into the unknown.

Watch over us, and over his beloved ThoraLee's safety as he reached over to stroke her smooth cheeks; I love her too much, I do not know what would happen if something were to befall upon her! And I can't help feeling that something would! My heart is hers. She is all I have now. She means the world to me and I would do anything for her!

A single tear fell from Thorin as he blinked away the rest and looked beyond the woods a parting of trees, in the darkness he knew the tip of Misty Mountains barely peeking into view.

High above them was Lonely Mountains, his Mountains. Nay, not his, theirs…his and Lee's…and their people.

He had not forgotten his vows that he would take her to the huge forge inside the mountains, and show her how Mithril was forged. He would make her a wedding gift of his choosing, something that would complement her green diamond ring.

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End of Chapter 28