Hey guys! so in honor of my winter session classes starting monday, heres a long chapter for you guys.
Its gona get a bit intense at the end soon so hold on!
.
.
.
Elira tired to move back as far as she could from the blade at her throat. She could feel the mans breath on her neck as he ordered Rowan and kili to disarm. She watched as Kili and Rowan tosses their weapons to the ground clattering against the wood floor.
after a moment the guards voice could be heard from the stairs
"We have your cohorts, if ya want 'em in one piece throw your weapons aside a surrender"
From the corner of her eye, Elira could see more guards trickled into the room and up the stairs.
After a few tense moments the company emerged from the stairs flanked by guards
The guard removed the knife from Elira's throat and pushed her towards the rest of the company. Kili quickly pulled her away from the guard and into the safety of the group. He looked down at her worriedly.
"Are you alright?" he asked stroking her cheek with his thumb
She nodded her heart hammering in her chest.
"Move all of you!" the guard ordered leading the way out of the building and out into the darkened streets.
...
.
Fili gripped Rowans hand tightly as they were forced out onto the street.
"I thought we agreed no more unnecessary running into danger" He whispered leaning towards her
"I promised that to Elira not you. 'sides Kili was with me."
"A lot of good that did you" He snorted
Rowan gripped his hand tighter as a guard came up along side of them
"What do you thinks going to happen?" she asked him worriedly letting the mask of calm she had been wearing slip.
Fili pulled her closer to him "I don't know,but whatever it is I'm not going to let anything happen to you"
...
They came to a stop in front of a large building which was more ornate and well kept than the other buildings in the town.
Elira looked about the large plank-way, A small crowd had begun to gather around them.
suddenly the doors of the building opened and a large greasy looking man stepped out followed by another man who slunk after him.
"what is the meaning of this" the man asked in a high voice
"we caught 'em stealing weapons sir" one of the guards replied
"Enemies of the state no doubt"
"mercenaries if there ever were sire" the other man replied
"Hold your tongue"
Elira was surprised to see Dwalin pushing his way forward
"This is no common criminal" he said motioning to Thorin "this is Thorin, son of Thrain, king under the mountain"
Thorin stepped forward and stood in front to the man "We are the dwarves of Erebor. We have come to reclaim our homeland."
the people around them began to murmur to one another as Thorin continued
"I remember this town in the great days of old. Fleets of boats lay at harbor, filled with silks and fine gems. This was no forsaken town on a lake. This was the center of all trade in the north! I would see those days return. I would relight the great forges of the dwarves and send wealth and riches flowing once more from the halls of Erebor!"
The people around them erupted in cheers and Elira cracked a smile. She could see a light blazing in Thorins eyes as he spoke, one that she had not seen since they had seen the mountain on the carrock.
"Death! That is what you'll bring upon us!"
The crowd parted as Bard pushed his way forward to face Thorin
"Dragon fire and ruin. If you awaken that beast, it will destroy us all!"
Thorin glared at Bard before turning back to the people.
"You can listen to this naysayer, but I promise you this; if we succeed all will share in the wealth of the mountain. You will have enough gold to rebuild Esgaroth ten times over!"
The crowd cheered once more but Elira's smile had faded 'what if Bard is right?'
"All of you! Listen to me, you must listen! Have you forgotten what happened to Dale? Have you forgotten those who died in the firestorm? And for what purpose?The blind ambition of a Mountain King, so driven by greed, he could not see beyond his own desire!"
The large man stepped forward "Now. Now. We must not, any of us, be too quick to lay blame. Let us not forget, that it was Girion, Lord of Dale, your ancestor, who failed to kill the beast. Hm!"
"It's true, Sire. We all know the story. Arrow after arrow, he shot. Each one missing its mark." replied the other
Bard stalked forward till he was face to face with Thorin.
"You have no right. No right to enter that mountain."
Thorin narrowed his eyes at Bard "I have the only right."
Turning from bard he approached the two men stanging on the steps before him
"I speak to the Master of the men of the lake. Will you see the prophecy fulfilled? Will you share in the great wealth of our people? What say you?"
The other man stepped forward "why should we take your word for it eh? is there anyone who can vouch for you? Who here can vouch for your character?"
a silence settled over the crowd as Thorin's face fell.
"Me.. I'll vouch for him" Bilbo said stepping forward " I have traveled far with these dwarfs through great danger, and if Thorin Oakenshield.. gives his word.. then he will keep it."
The master eyed the hobbit unimpressed
"I Will as well" Elira said stepping forward standing beside Bilbo
"As will I" Rowan added stepping forward in stride.
"And just who are you hmm? women of unscrupulous trade?" The master said
Rowan opened her mouth ready to say what Elira guessed was probably a string of four letter words, but she stopped her.
"I am Elira Leaflin" she said striding forward a pace confidently, her head held high "Heir to the Lady Galadriel- Lady of Lothlorien"
the crowd murmured once more
Rowan stood tall beside Elira, "I am Rowan Firebrand, the last of the Firebrand clan and march warden of Lothlorien." Narrowing her eyes at the men she added "I would rethink your alleged professions of ours if I was you"
The madter cleared his throat awkwardly "Ah yes..er..Forgive my my ladies."
"we shall see" Elira replied derisively, causing Rowan to crack a small grin
"my my someones pulling off the whole princess thing quite well" she whispered to Elira when the master looked away from them
Elira grinned back "Yes well I don't take well to being called a woman of ill repute"
they turned their attention back to the master as he broke into a wide smile that made Elira's skin crawl
"And to you Thorin Oakenshield I say...welcome! Welcome and rise! Welcome, King Under the Mountain!"
...
.
Rowan swatted at the hand shaking her awake
"nnnhhmm" she groaned
"you can't sleep all day lass" Balin said throwing open the curtains of her room.
Rowan groaned again not wanting to leave the first real bed she had had in master had put the company up in the affluent guest houses during their stay, sparing no expense on them.
"Come on lass you have to get ready for the feast" Balin said throwing open the last curtain "and you have to be civil"
"why do we have to go to this feast can't we just pack some for the road and go"
Balin shook his head "were on the masters term for now, we need him to aid us in order to continue to the mountain. Now come on lass there's lunch down stairs" he added before shutting the door behind him.
Rowan groaned one last time before rolling out of bed and going to the closet which had been filled with dresses for her. she selected the most comfortable one and trudged down stairs.
...
.
just as the sun had begun to set Rowan changed dresses into a more formal gown and joined the company in the foyer of the house. they were all dressed in nice cloths for the feast some looking more happy than others.
They then set out for the feast Thorin at the head of the group flanked by Balin and Dwalin, with Kili Elira Fili and Rowan behind them.
...
.
The feast was was in full swing by the time Elira had finished eating. she watched people mingle about the great hall some while others danced along to the band.
she had just gotten up to go sit with Ori when she felt a tap on her shoulder. The tall ferret looking man from earlier was standing there a crooked smile on his face.
"I don't believe we've been introduced properly" he said " I am Alfred assistant to the master of lake town" he took her hand and kissed it.
Elira suppressed the urge to snatch her hand away and smiled politely.
"you look radiant this evening. when I saw you on that platform I thought a vision had come down from the heavens. would you care for a dance" he asked
Elira forced the polite smile back on her face "I'm sorry but i have already promised this dance to my intended" she said before pulling away and scurrying off to where Kili and Ori sat.
..
For the most of the evening after that, Elira had made a game of trying to evade Alfred's advances but she could feel his eyes on her at times making her skin crawl.
But as the night wore on she began to feel more relaxed as she danced with the company, each new partner teaching her new moves to go with the songs being played.
As the latest song finished she excused herself from Balin and went to the washroom disappearing down the hall.
...
.
Rowan was enjoying herself at the feast. though she did not trust the master one bit, she could still enjoy one last night of fun before they set off to possibly face a dragon. but there was something keeping her on guard; the Masters ferret of an assistant Alfred. she could see him watching Elira occasionally out of the corner of her eye.
she pushed it to the back of her mind as Fili pulled her onto the dance floor
"I don't know the steps to his song" she said
"Thats ok mo annym I do. I'll show you the moves and I can lead" he said in low rumbling voice.
True to his word he patiently showed her the dance showing no sign of frustration at the many times she accidentally stepped on his foot.
The music slowed tempo and he pulled her closer towards him.
Se relaxed as he wrapped his arms around her.
he looked down at her with a soft expression and smiled
"I love you mo annym" he said
Rowan smiled back at him "I love you too mo Isimun "
...
"looks like someone is having a good time" Bilbo said sitting down next to Rowan
"you have no idea" Rowan murmured
"where did Fili go?" the hobbit asked searching the room for the blond brother
"He Thorin and Kili had to talk with the master" Rowan said taking a sip of wine.
"well then can I have this dance"Bilbo asked
"yes you may" Rowan said taking the hobbits arm
"so how are you faring Bilbo?" Rowan asked as they danced
"Oh alright, a bit of a cold thought"
"Seems you and Elira are in the same boat" she laughed
they danced for a while more, Rowan listened while Bilbo told her of life in the Shire and Rowan told her of her home.
as they finished the song Rowan saw Elira duck out into the small corridor. a frown formed on her lips as she caught another flurry of movement. she watched as Alfred slunk along the wall towards the corridor and disappeared into it.
"excuse me for a moment Bilbo, I have business with Alfred"Rowan muttered absentmindedly as she left the dance floor.
"Err. rowan where are you going..." he called after her to no avail
"Bilbo whats wrong?" Bofur asked as the hobbit wandered over to where he and Balin stood along the wall
"Its Rowan she left suddenly going to look for Alfred"
"Alfred that weasel of an assistant the master keeps?" Balin said with a frown
Bilbo nodded
"What is it?" Bofur asked
"I don't like the looks of that man, what ever business Rowan could have with him can't be good. I think we should check up on this 'business'"
the three nodded and set off in search of Rowan.
...
..
Alfred went room by room searching the corridor for the blond woman. just as he exited the fourth room he tried he was slammed against the wall.
Rowan glared at the man as she pushed him against the wall, pressing a steak knife she had pocketed from the feast against the mans neck.
"You have haunted my friend's steps for far too long" she growled pressing the blade flush against his neck.
"I..I.. don't know what your talking about" Alfred stammered innocently.
"Oh but I think you do" Rowan gritted out "and listen to me well, If I see you around her again, if you put one foot out of line- I will end your life that very moment. Do you understand?"
Alfred nodded vigorously, breathing a sigh of relief as Rowan relaxed her grip on the knife.
"But then again.." Rowan said maliciously as she brought the knife back to the man throat "Maybe I should save myself the trouble in the future and just end you now"
She pressed the knife against his throat even harder, the tip beginning to draw blood.
"You.. you wouldnt. the master would see you hanged for that" Alfred said with waning confidence.
Rowan grinned wickedly at him "Oh I don't think he would... you need to ask your self Alfred is your life really worth all that gold in that mountain to the Master? hmm? Because I think its not.. infact I think that I could slit your throat ear to ear and the Master would sit back and let me... Hell he'd probably hold you down while I did it if I asked"
she put a little more pressure on the knife, the horrible smile on her face unwavering.
Suddenly a door slammed from somewhere down in the hall, Cutting through the heavy quite that had settled around them. Rowan blinked a few times before refocusing on Alfred, her grin dissipating.
"But lucky for you I am feeling generous today, so run along ferrett... and don't let me ever catch sight of you again!" she growled
Alfred sprinted from the corridor the moment Rowan let up on the knife.
Rowan let the knife fall from her hands, watching as it clattered to the floor. She looked at her hands for a moment before walking dazedly back into the hall.
...
.
Balin, Bofur, and Bilbo looked on in shock as Rowan put the knife back against the man's throat. Bilbo's heart clenched as he saw the malicious look on the young woman's face.
They all looked on in horror as they listed to their generally kind friend's cruel words.
A door slammed near by startling them. The trio watched as the cruelty dissipated from Rowan's face as she let up on the knife.
Balin let out a sigh of relief as he watched her drop the knife then slowly exit the hall. Before any of them could discuss what they had just witnessed they heard another door shut and Elira passed by the alcove they were hiding in.
"Lass..."Bofur started as he put a hand on her shoulder.
before he could finish he has pushed against the wall and a butter knife was pointed at his face.
"woah there Lass" Bofur said putting his hands up.
Elira's face softened
"Oh my goodness Bofur I'm so sorry!" she said putting the knife back into her dress pocket.
"what are the hostilities for Lass?" Balin asked
"Sorry, I thought you were that creep Alfred "Elira said shaking her head "I can't seem to give him the slip so I figured I'd be prepared"
Balin chuckled "two sides of the same coin Rowan and you are"
"What?" Elira asked
"Its nothing lass, lets get back to the party" he said gesturing them out of the alcove.
As Bofur Bilbo and Elira left to go to the hall, Balin lingered in the corridor for a moment worry etched on his weathered face. He couldn't quite be sure, but for a moment he thought he had seen Rowan eyes become tinged with gold as she held the knife to Alfred's throat.
.
.
A/N: dun dun dunnnnnnnnnn
