Chapter Thirty-Five: The Decision

His head throbbed but before he had the opportunity to fully acknowledge the ache, he was doused in a sudden wave of cold water. Again, before he could register the shock of the biting chill, his face was attacked by a sharp slap to his face. Fili's eyes snapped open as he spurted water that dripped into his mouth. While he sputtered and blinked away water from his eyes, a gruff voice called out his name.

He lifted a hand to wipe away the drops of water that collected to his eye lashes and was greeted with two dark eyes looking back at him. Disoriented, it took him a moment to collect his thoughts and process what his eyes were seeing.

Ferin was standing over him with a empty bucket that was dripping incriminating droplets of water onto the bedding that Fili was currently lying on. His dark eyes glinted with an expression that told Fili he had thoroughly enjoyed his earlier action. When Fili shot him a glower, it only seemed to bring more satisfaction to the young captains face as the corners of his mouth curled up.

A low growl sounded in Fili's throat and he moved to sit up. However, as he began to rise, he was stopped when his back had only managed to rise an inch from the mattress. Confusion returned and he looked down to see a rope wrapped around his chest that was restricting his ability to sit fully up. He then became aware of a tightness around his wrist and ankles as well. He shot an accusing glare towards the man that was standing over him as a slight panic surged through his body. But before he could question his motives, Ferin merely rolled his eyes, set aside the bucket, and began to loosen the knots that were keeping Fili confined.

"For someone who just saved your royal ass you don't seem too grateful," Ferin mumbled as he released Fili and took a step back to allow Fili room to fully rise.

Fili rubbed his wrists were a red line of irritated skin had formed as he shot another narrowed glare at the other male. "Last I checked, tying someone up was not saving them."

Ferin shrugged but gave no apology. "Well it at least kept you from walking around the mountain like a lunatic." Fili quirked an eye in confusion. "I found you down in the tombs. I saw Torvi storming off looking furious after paying respects to my own family and thought I would check on you." He offerened in explanation. "When I came across you by Jorra's grave, you where kneeling on the ground muttering only Mahal knows what. I knew I could not just leave you there."

"So you brought me here and tied me up?" Fili asked skeptically.

Ferin shrugged. "The royal wings was twenty levels up and Torvi's house was even farther. I figured this would be the safest place without passing through too much high traffic corridors and halls."

Fili rubbed his head as the fading ache in his head that he was becoming far too acquainted told him exactly what had happened. At the thought, his head snapped back up as a wave of panic washed over him. "Did...did anyone see?"

Ferin's early smug smile faded as it turned into a slightly more grimmed smile.

"Unfortunately, our path did take us pass a few occupied corridors," he confessed. "However, it was only a handful of people and while your reputation may have been marred a little bit, I do believe a drunken state is a little better than people thinking you were mad."

Fili frowned. "You told people I was drunk?"

Ferin snorted. "Would you rather me tell them you had the dragon sickness?"

Fili flinched at his bluntness. While he knew it was unlikely, he had hoped that perhaps the rumors of others being suspicious were false. He did not like the idea of Ferin knowing the truth. Even though he had claimed he was changed and had done well to prove it thus far, it did not mean that Fili liked the man. It was then that he noticed a blemish developing along Ferin's right cheek bone.

"Where did you get the shiner?" FIli asked while nodding his head towards the developing bruise.

Ferin lightly prodded the swollen part of his face and grimaced as he prodded the bruise with more force than intended. "Well tying you down was not exactly my first method of keeping you here. But after the first swing, lets just say my respect for the future king went out the window." Ferin said wryly.

Fili could not help the light snort of amusement that came from his lips. Unfortunately the lightness in the air only lasted a moment as grimness fell upon the golden haired prince as he thought of the reason he was in this predicament. The change in atmosphere was easily detected by the dark haired lord. Not wanting to have to deal with another episode of sickness and definitely not willing to risk receiving a matching bruise on the other side of his face, Ferin decided his future king needed a distraction.

"You look like you could use a drink," Ferin commented as he walked to the other side of the small room they were in and took two tankards from a small shelf and set them on the table.

Despite their history of differences, in this moment, Fili could only agree with his old time rival. He slowly got up and felt the usual bough of exhaustion within his body that usually followed an episode. Not wanting to seem weak in front of Ferin any more than he had already, he chose to ignore the fatigue and moved slowly to the table. Just as he pulled a chair out from under the oak table, Ferin pulled out a large flagon of ale and poured them each a generous amount of amber liquid. He too then took a seat and slid one of the tankards across the grained wood to Fili's awaiting hands.

An easy quietness settled between the two as they each focused on the refreshing ale that trickled smoothly down their throats. Finally as they each finished off their tankard, Ferin poured them each a new one. As the refilled tankard was slid back into Fili's fingertips, he paused for a moment as he looked pensively down into the malt liquid.

"Why did you help me?"

As the question moved pass his lips, Fili looked up to were Ferin had his tankard half raised to his mouth. With a soundless sigh, he set the cup back down without taking a drink and rotated it slowly as he stared at the cup.

"I know it's hard for you to believe and accept," he began slowly still looking down at the turning cup, "but when I told you I vowed to stay loyal to you, I meant it." His dark eyes flickered up to him. "I gave you my word that I would never let Torvi come to harm and I failed." To Fili's surprise a dark look of regret flashed across Ferin's face before he continued and a renewed look of conviction replaced it. "I will not let my word fail again. I don't know what is going on between the two of you, but I know that if I were to let something happen to you then Torvi would be hurt again. Perhaps not physically, but there are many different ways a person can be hurt."

Fili stared wordlessly at him for a long time as he reevaluated the situation as well as Ferin's character.

"You really have changed haven't you?" Fili commented.

Ferin shrugged. "I would like to think I have. I once heard someone say that if you pretend something for long enough, it comes true. I would like to think that if it is not happened yet, that someday, it will."

Fili nodded then let out a sigh as he let his eyes fall back down to the forgotten ale in his hands.

"Torvi wants your father killed," he revealed without thinking.

A snort sounded from Ferin causing Fili to look back up at Ferin.

"A lot of people want him dead," he said as he rose his ale to his lips and took a sip. "And if anyone had a good enough reason, it would be Torvi," he added as he set his tankard back down with a dull thud.

"So is it true that Torvi's accusations are correct in thinking he killed Jorra?" Fili asked.

Ferin shrugged and shook his head. "That is what I have been trying to find out for the past week," he replied. "King Thorin has put me in charge of the investigation incognito. I have been trying to work on regaining some stance with my father but to be honest I think he no longer trusts me. He assigns me to do odd jobs while the meetings take place and 'fills' me in later. But everything is vague and general. Old things discussed months ago, nothing new. But even without evidence or admission, I have no doubt that he at least gave the command that ended Jorra's life."

Fili let out a sigh before taking a draught of his ale. "That's what I am worried about," he said as the tankard let out a dull thud against the wooden table.

"You think she would actually try to kill him?" Ferin asked.

Fili shook his head. "More that she will be successful," he clarified. "Torvi's not a killer, at least not one of people."

Ferin let a small pause lapse between them before he responded. "Is that why she was so angry before?"

Fili let out a woeful sigh. "I asked her to promise me that she would not do it. I told her that she would not be able to handle it."

"My guess is she did not take that so well?"

Fili shook his head. "She said she wanted nothing to do with me," he found himself admitting. 'I think….I think I have lost her."

Fili's shoulders sagged as he said it out loud. But his gloom was overshadowed when a burst of laughter came from Ferin's mouth. He looked darkly up at Ferin, who seemed unphased but the dangerous darkening of the princes eyes.

"Find something funny," Fili ground out through gritted teeth.

"Actually I do," confirmed Ferin as he casually took another drink. "If you really think you have lost Torvi then maybe I am wrong to put my support in such a dense person." Before Fili could take offense, Ferin continued. "If you really think Torvi will truly go through with this then perhaps you don't know her as well as you do. However, push her away from the idea forcefully, then maybe she will."

Fili frowned in dislike of Ferin's implying of him being stupid. "Then what do you suggest I do?"

Ferin gave him a look as him the answer would be obvious but took his time giving insight to Fili. He first took a long drink and finished off his ale before letting the cup fall to the table heavily and looked Fili straight in the eye. "Give her your support," he said casually. "Be willing to carry out what she wishes."

Fili raised an eyebrow. "You do realise the man who you are telling me to help Torvi kill is your own father right?"

Ferin nodded. "I would kill him myself if Torvi asked me too," he said with a shrug.

"Why?"

It was Ferin's turn to arch an inquisitive brow. "What do you mean why?"

"Why would you kill your own father for Torvi's sake?" Fili elucidated.

"I wouldn't do it for her sake," he said bluntly. "At least, she would not be my primary reason."

When Fili gave him a silent questioning look, Ferin moved to explain his reasoning further.

"My priority is Hilda's safety, followed by her family," he admitted unabashed. "After them, then it would be for Torvi's sake," he explained. "It's like you said, Torvi would not be able to handle it. My father has always had Torvi in his plans since he first noticed the connection she had with your family. He always planned to break her. As it is my intention to insure that no more of my fathers plans are played out, I must make sure Torvi does not fall apart. She is cracked, yes, but she has not shattered nor will she if you are always there supporting her. She may keep you stable, but right now, you are what is keeping her togher, despite what you may think. Give her a choice and no matter what she chooses support her in it. "

Fili thought about his words but then shook his head. "I still can't support her being involved with someone's death. Even if she did not do it, I feel as though she would still feel guilty if it turned out he were innocent, at least when it comes to Jorra's untimely death."

"Do you really think she would do it?" Ferin asked. "Do you honestly believe she would go through with it?"

Fili sighed. "If I did not give her a good enough reason not to, then yes, yes she would."

The creak of Ferin's chair caused Fili to look up. Ferin was now leaning forward, his elbows rested on the table and his hands folded before his face as he looked intently into Fili's.

"Then give her one," he said tersely.

Fili was about to protest that he had no such reason but then an idea popped into his mind. He pushed his ale away and stood up from his chair. "I need your help with something."

Ferin gave him a smug smile. "Never thought I would see the day that our Golden Prince would ask for my help."

Fili only rolled his eyes then walked over to the door. Just as he heard the scaping of wood against stone as Ferin stood to follow, he turned around. "This still doesn't mean that I like you."

Ferin gave his a nonchalant shrug. "Didn't think that for a second."

Fili let out a snort then turned back around. "Grab a coat," he called. "It's going to be a long cold night."

Fili let his knuckles tenderly let out a light wrap on the open door before stepping into Torvi's room. He did not fail to take notice that the room was still in disarray. The only thing that had looked remotely in order was the arrangement of her bedding which was only a small improvement as the covers were now haphazardly spread over the bed instead of spilling onto the floor. From what he could tell, everything else had not been touched aside from a few articles of clothing that had been worn and then taken off and left in a new heap on the floor over the past few days.

Doing his best to avoid stepping on anything, Fili made his way through the mess until he was standing beside the bed where Torvi was sitting. He looked down at her and was surprised but thankful to see her green eyes watching him. While her body remained rigid and facing forward as her legs were neatly folded beneath her, he was happy to see she was at least acknowledging him. It meant that at least she was not as angry with him as he had originally thought.

Torvi had been sitting on her bed methodically with her legs tucked under herself and her hands placed on her thighs as she serenely breathed in and out of her nose. From an outsider's perspective, one would think she was at a complete meditative state. She looked calm and composed amongst the devastation of mess that surrounded her. But despite her outward appearance of serenity, her inner turmoil matched that of her surroundings.

She was so deeply into her own thoughts that she barely missed the light tap of knuckle against wood. She kept her eyes shut and made no move to answer, hoping that whomever it was, they would leave. However, when the sound of soft steps came into the room, she knew it was a futile wish. Without opening her eyes she already knew who it was. Had it been her mother, she would have already made a comment about the state of her room. If it were Rorvi, he would have made no effort to avoid stepping on her belonging and it would have sounded like an oliphant walking through a market. She would have heard Kili coming before he had even entered the corridor leading to her home. That only left one other option as to who had entered. Slowly she opened her eyes and as expected, it was Fili who was making his way across the room.

His eyes were focused on the ground as he carefully studied each weaving step to avoid stepping on anything except for the few cleared spots within the sea of her messy belongings. Finally he reached her and his eyes lifted from the floor to hers. She saw the look of relief pass across his face when eye contact was made. Continuing to stay silent and only allowing her eyes to move, she watched him as he slowly knelt down in front of her and set a bag that she had just noticed on the ground beside him. For several minutes neither of them moved as they silently stared back into the others eyes. Suddenly, Torvi found it difficult to keep her eyes on him. She knew that he was hurting, she could see the turmoil in his eyes and she felt guilty for that hurt. But her desire to be selfish and distant was what caused her to fight the guilt. In an effort to avoid the disturbing emotion, she broke he eye contact and looked down to her lap and focused on her fingers instead.

Fili continued to remain mute but the sound of ruffling cloth broke through the air. She was tempted to look back up but resisted the urge in fear that the guilt would come back again. But the effort to resist was soon crippled when Fili moved to place something in her line of sight.

Her eyes widened as the metallic shine of a familiar blade came into her line sight. Laying in her lap was the sword that she had once thought was lost forever. It's edge shined with a brilliance that told her it was recently polished and freshly sharpened. Fili's hand receded away from its hilt and she followed its movement until it settled at his side. She followed the appendage attached to it until it lead her to the calm face of Fili as looked back at her. His blue eyes seemed to pierce into her very soul as he looked straight back at her without any of the pity or sadness that she had become accustomed to be present in most people's eyes when they looked at her. Instead it was a strange firmness and conviction that was conveyed within his gaze.

"I will help you kill Ferer," he said in a tone that held no judgment or hesitation. "If that that is what you wish...I will let you draw every single drop of blood from his body."

He paused and let his gaze fall down to his right pocket. Torvi could not help but follow his gaze and watched as he pulled a leather strap from it. Slowly he moved his hand towards her and without a word he laid it on top of the sword. Torvi heard the odd sound of stone against metal and let her eyes focus on her lap. There, laid across her silver sword, was the necklace that Jorra had given to her.

"However," came Fili's voice as she continued to stare down at the pendant, "I still think it would be a dishonor to his memory. Jorra was a man of harmony, not a man of malice. But this is your choice, whatever you choose, I will aid you."

Before she could fully register the meaning of his words. Torvi heard the scuffle of boots against stone and the ruffle of clothing as Fili stood and began to walk away. She did not look up immediately and when she did, Fili was already gone. After watching the empty doorway for a long pause, she finally moved her eyes back down to her lap where the necklace and sword lay within her lap. Each representing a choice, each item closely cherished. She could not imagine the effort that Fili had put into retrieving such items. How he managed it, she would always wonder, but for now she had to put it aside. Fili had presented her with a choice, a decision that whatever the outcome, he would support.

She was conflicted. Her eyes moved back and forth between the two as she weighed the significance that each item represented. She looked at the sword and instantly the image of its razor edge reaping the life of Lord Ferer played with in her mind. She imagined the brightness of his blood spilling down his front from a slit throat. She imagined his dark eyes clouding over to a dull gray as the life seeped out of them as quickly as his blood would flow from such a wound. The vision was so vivid she could image the metallic iron scent that would fill a room from such a large quantity of blood. Her heart begin to pound faster as the image took over her mind as if excited by such a visualization becoming reality.

But just as quickly as the image appeared, her eyes focused on the simple necklace that lay on top of the sword. The image of Ferer's lifeless body dissipated and was replaced with a familiar smiling Jorra. Her memory imagined the man laughing joyfully, his head was tilted back as it always did when he laughed and she could have sworn that she could hear his deep chortle echo as if the man were just down the hall. She suddenly felt ashamed of her bodies earlier reaction of such a violent fantasy. Since when did she become a person who took joy in other people's pain?

Here still hands moved with a jerky motion as she reached out for the necklace. Clumsy fingers wrapped around the smooth stone and for the first time since Jorra's discovered body, Torvi's hands, which had been diseased with numbness, could feel the smooth texture and warmth that the stone had collected from within Fili's pocket. All too quickly she became aware of how bitingly cold the swords metal felt against her legs and with a lightning reflex, she batted the sword away. It resounded in a loud clanging against the stone floor. But the ringing metal went unregistered as she hugged the stone that was now grasped tightly in her fist against her chest. Tears brimmed to the surface of her eyes. And for what seemed to be an addition to the infinite number of tears she had shed in that past weeks, these tears where different. They were not of hate, they were not of frustration, they were not of self loathing. For the first time Torvi simply cried for the loss of her friend.

Her tears were dry not long after. Torvi was tired of crying and finally since a long while, she felt her mind regain a small amount of clarity. She looked around her room, seeking out inspiration for how to move forward. It was like noticing the mess that consumed every vacant space within the room for the first time and she immediately knew what she needed to do.

It was a small step and it would not fix anything that really mattered, but putting her room in order would hopefully inspire her to pick up the pieces of her life and somehow put it back together.

She started with the desk and chair. Tipping the chair back onto its four legs, she gently pushed it under the table where she began to neatly place the strewn jewelry back into their places within the jewelry box. Once the wooden desk was in order with only a few missing items that failed to survive her earlier ravaging fit, she moved on to the floor. Putting away articles of clothings, sweeping up broken glass, and scrubbed at the stain the ebony pool of spilled ink had left.

Determining the ink stained stone would not ever be fully restored after scrubbing at it for an hour, Torvi moved on to the remainder of the room. Picking up and sorting the items once contained within her trunk, she set out to organize and return them back to their home. As she lifted a dress a faint thud sounded as something heavy fell from the fold of the fabric. Tossing the dress into the pile of clothes to be refolded, Torvi looked down to find a small red covered book lying at her feet.

Her brow wrinkled at the unfamiliar sight. She did not recollect owning such a book and bent down to retrieve it. With critical eyes, she examined the cover. Her hands ran over each golden letters that made up the title as her eyes read its name. The Common Folk of the South. Her eyebrows pulled together as she continued to examine the book and tried to recall how the book managed to come into her possession. A vague memory of finding such a book in the library came to mind but why she still had it was at a loss. She opened it up and read a few passages as she tried to decipher why her past self would take such a book from its shelf.

It was nothing that she could recall being an interest to her. Just an informative book about the life and culture of humans down in the south. It puzzled her as to why such a book would even be in the library and without a thought she gave a shrug and placed it on the small shelf that held the select few books she owned with the mental thought to return it. However, as she turned to continue on with sorting out her room, she looked back at the book as the full memory of how the book came into her possession.

It had been in her early days of looking for an answer, she had been frustrated and noticed the book. She remembered taking it from its place and haphazardly putting it in her bag before leaving the library. Obviously she had forgotten about it, and it must have fallen from the bag and found a spot at the bottom of her trunk. She smiled wryly at the memory. So much had changed since then, herself most of all. Slowly, she moved back to the shelf and pulled it back down. As she moved to her bed, she opened its cover, and sat down as she began to flip through its pages.

Fili was right, it would be a dishonor to stoop down to Ferer's level. She was not a killer but he would be a tough foe to beat, she needed to be strong but in her own way. Her hand moved to the stone within her pocket and traced the ruins that Jorra had carved into the surface.

Hardship breeds challenge. Challenge breeds strength.

Jorra had always believed that she was strong. He had always told her that she would somehow always find away. His loss was a hardship. But it was a hardship she would overcome and take upon that challenge Ferer had presented her with. She would rise to that challenge and she would defeat it. She would not do it in the way that Ferer would, she would do it in the way that would only bring honor. She had made her decision. She would honor Jorra, she would make his loss of life worth the sacrifice within this cold war that was feuding beneath the surface of the public eye. She would win and Ferer would lose. Her eyes fell onto the page of the book and began to read the characters of the script.

Hey everyone happy Monday! Sorry about the delay and lack of events but things should move on in the next chapter. Hopefully it wont be so long for the next chapter. Until next time...enjoy life!

Sky Venom thanks for all your input I am happy you are liking the Ferin and Fili interactions and I hope you liked this chapter.