This chapter is different in that it's a build up to things coming, but I hope you like it just the same. Reviews are appreciated as always, and thank you guests for writing in and making your voices heard!
Chapter 38
"Let's get you cleaned up, my love," Della said to Frerin, and she held out her hand and wiggled her fingers. "You sorely need a bath."
"I'm, I'm …" The little dwarfling puzzled and poked and prodded his bottom lip while trying to find the right word. "I'm …" The others watched him with various degrees of amusement but were unwilling to step in until he scowled and pursed his lips.
"Filthy?" Fili supplied.
"Fithy! I'm fithy! Bubbles? Please, bubbles?" Fili never could resist his son's wide, pleading eyes, even after Della told him she'd caught Frerin practicing his waifish, pitiful look in his bedroom mirror.
"Of course," Fili said with a smile and stroke of his son's head. "Thank Mahal for that bubble soap," he added in an aside to his wife. "Remind me again to grovel at Dori's feet. Remember not so long ago? Trying to get him in the tub was like wrestling a bear cub."
Frerin bounced on his toes and pumped his fists while Thorin looked on with a fond smile but, in truth, he felt at loose ends with Kili and Areen gone and Fili and Della taking Frerin back to their chambers. A sullen melancholy descended, something he hadn't felt since the quest. Surprised and annoyed to feel it now, he ticked through his schedule to see if any important business needed his attention, but nothing came to mind. He'd finished everything pressing the night before, and he detested creating work to keep busy. In fact, he often tabled petitions from long-winded counselors because they belabored details to look busy and important. Flexing his hands, he cast about for something to distract him, but with every passing moment, he grew more irritated.
"What do you say we take the long way around?" Fili asked. "I need to stretch my legs."
Della wasn't fooled by his suggestion though and wagged a finger at his carefully neutral face, but she understood him wanting to find out any news and was curious herself.
"You mean the way by the fountains?"
"We don't need to go that way, but I know how much you like the music …"
"You won't eavesdrop, Fili," Thorin said stepping closer. "It's not seemly, and we don't want to scare Areen off."
Fili looked from his uncle to his wife who shook her head at his obvious eagerness before smiling and linking her arm through his.
"I need a good walk, so I'm happy to accompany you."
"Coming, Uncle?"
Thorin contemplated his options. He had no reason to head in that direction, none at all. In fact, if he needed something to divert him, he could head back to the roost to see if any messages arrived from the Iron Hills, or he could work on his notion to place railings along the stairways. He could use the time to draw up plans. Such a thing required considerable attention.
"Coming." If anyone noticed them walking faster than usual, no one commented on it.
Meanwhile, Kili held Areen's arm closer, and Sky walked alongside without direction. Periodically, she attempted to edge in between Kili and her mistress, but a sharp command left her sulking at Areen's side.
"She's miserable," Kili said. "We can't have that."
"But it won't look intimate otherwise."
"Take my hand. That's more romantic, and hold the leash with the other." He lavished kisses on her wrist and wouldn't let her pull away until they came upon a cadre of courtiers. After making reverence, two of them stared at Kili's tight hold on Areen's hand instead of minding their way and smacked into a thick column.
"Oops," Kili said under his breath.
"What was that noise?" Areen asked.
"Just a few pompous courtiers walking into solid objects after seeing us together." He snickered and looked over his shoulder to see them helping each other up and brushing off their elaborate robes.
"You're going to make someone a wonderful husband someday, but, really, everyone will gossip."
"Isn't that what we want?"
"Keep it in the family, remember?"
"Oh, right, I forgot."
"A wonderful but absent-minded husband."
"No one's perfect. Ah! Speaking of, here comes the family. They didn't waste any time."
A determined Kili and blushing Areen walked up to Fili, Della, and Thorin who slowed as they approached the hall.
"Did you enjoy the fountains?" Della asked while looking for hints in her face. Areen sidled up to Kili who patted her hand with a wide smile.
"Very much. Thank you, Della. I'd like to go back. I couldn't take it all in in such a short time."
"We will go back as often as you like, my lo … uh, Areen," Kili said. Eyes swung from Areen to Kili and back again. Kili dropped his eyes and played like he'd overstepped while Areen forced a tight smile. Thorin's eyes narrowed, but before anyone spoke up, Bofur walked up with Bifur and called out to her.
"There you are, Areen!" Bofur said. "Slif's been working on treats for Sky and wants her to come down to try his latest batch. I think these ones will do the trick. Oh, did we interrupt something important?"
"No more than anyone else," Kili replied with a pointed look at his brother, but Areen hushed him and greeted Bofur with a wide smile.
"Not at all, Bofur. Kili, would you mind if I take her down to the kitchens? The poor thing's been neglected since we ..."
"Of course, but I have a day planned for us, so come right back." Kili looked on Areen with unmistakable pride and regard. Fili and Della grinned at each other, and Thorin took a deep breath and paused to examine a minute chip in a wall carving. He'd have that fixed as soon as may be.
"Come on then, my lovely lasses," Bofur said, squiring Areen and Sky away. She turned back to Kili after only a few steps.
"Where shall I meet you?"
"I'll find you. I'll always find you, but you'll need to change into something with tight sleeves first. You have a pretty blue day gown that will do. I'll meet you at your chambers."
Blushing again, she ducked her head with another shy smile and allowed Bofur to lead her away. Fili and Della watched her walk away while Thorin's eyes fixed on Kili who looked down the hallway with a dreamy smile. Before they rounded the corner, Areen turned back with a wave and then disappeared.
Without losing a second, Fili turned to his brother.
"Well?" he demanded with his hands open.
"Well, what?" Kili enjoyed his brother's agitation too much, and Della rolled her eyes while Thorin stared, trying to decipher the outcome by the smallest changes in Kili's expression.
"You know what," Fili said. "What happened? Is everything settled?"
"You want me to spill the details?"
"Down to the last bean!"
"Very well." They crowded closer. "She wants to stay."
"With you?"
"Of course with me!" He mocked swooned, and Fili chuckled, all tension gone. "But she needs to talk to Feron first before promising anything. She owes him that."
"But she'll stay for certain?" Thorin said, pushing between Della and Fili who hastily moved aside. "Feron won't talk her out of it?"
Kili's lips pressed together, and he looked pained and less certain of himself.
"It's not entirely settled in my favor. She does love Feron in her way. For all her life and his, he's served almost as her personal guard, and of course they're very close. Very close. I can only hope that loyalty doesn't compel her to accept him."
"But you did your best to convince her to stay?" Thorin asked with his brows almost touching his eyes. "You made every possible argument? You left nothing out?"
Fili and Della puzzled at his insistence, but then again he insisted on bringing her to Erebor in the first place.
"Is he trying to make up for his earlier blunder?" Della whispered to Fili.
"That's as good an answer as any, Del," Filli whispered back, "but Kili's not helping him out any. Stringing him along, I'd say."
"Well, after everything, he might feel the need to needle a little."
"Fair enough," Fili said, and they turned to watch their verbal sparring.
"I was most convincing, Uncle," Kili said. "I offered her a life she couldn't hope to have otherwise." He grinned triumphantly, but the others cringed. That was the weakest reason anyone could offer and might even be considered patronizing in the extreme. Thorin's face fell, and he tossed his head back and arched his neck to look up unseeing at the ceiling.
"I hope that's not all you said, brother," Fili said, his pique obvious. Della grabbed his arm and motioned him to settle down. In her mind, Kili walked a razor-thin edge after Areen's experiences at Erebor and with another a serious suitor downstairs to boot.
"Don't go so hard on him," she said. "He has more challenges than most," but Fili refused to budge, and pulled his arm away.
"Mahal, you practically insulted her! Treating her like some pauper who should be grateful for your generosity!"
Far from upset, Kili grinned and shushed his brother, not the least ashamed for riling him. Della looked pensive, Thorin agitated and struggling to hide it, and Fili outraged.
"No, of course I didn't." He rocked back and forth on his heels, vastly pleased with himself. "Would she have wanted to stay if I had? I know what I'm about." He paused for dramatic effect. "I told her I love her. Uncle, I can't thank you enough for bringing her here." He heaved an expansive sigh before turning more serious. "I'm sorry I gave you so much trouble at first. It was rude and disrespectful to both you and Areen. I can only say that I'm grateful she's forgiven me."
Thorin waved his hand, impatient with his response.
"There's nothing to forgive, but how did she respond? How did she answer you?"
"She said she loves me too. Very much in fact."
"Ah!" Thorin nodded with his eyes on the ground before straightening up and facing him with a genuine smile. "Indeed." He put his palms on Kili's shoulders and gave them a squeeze. "I'm very happy for you."
"We've become so close I can tell her anything." Kili thought back to the puke and loo incidents and laughed with his head back. "And I do."
"And she still wants you?" Fili asked dumbfounded.
"I do have some admirable qualities, you know."
"Of course you do," Della said after a hard look at her husband. She stepped forward for a hug which Kili supplied with open arms.
Thorin and Fili nodded with pleased smiles. Their Kili was happy at last, and that outweighed all other considerations.
"Now let's help her make the right decision," Fili said.
"No, no, don't interfere. It'll only end up in embarrassment and humiliation."
"You don't trust us to be discreet?"
"Mahal, no! Have you forgotten those fathers and daughters you tipped off?" Fili looked sheepish.
"He's right," Della said. "I never favored that scheme."
"It was Thorin's idea."
The king turned with his hands on his hips.
"Hordes chasing him around Erebor was not my idea, but I'm happy for you, Kili. You deserve her." With a nod and final pat on his shoulder, Thorin winked at Frerin and took his leave.
"Where are you going?"
"I've some things to attend to. Della, make sure you get your rest and not tire yourself out with Frerin's bath. Fili here can attend to that." Della curtsied in response and, with a final nod, he walked away.
"So that means you're on, brother. King's orders."
"You don't think you might spare a few minutes to help me out, Kili?"
"And leave my lady waiting? You're on your own. Just make sure you have enough bubble soap."
"Della?"
"I believe we used most of it up on the last bath."
Thorin strode through the hallways and let the news wind around his mind. Kili's grin eased his burden of guilt and worry, but after an initial thrill from the news, his spirit didn't lighten like he thought it would. Instead, a strange wistfulness left him out of sorts. He should be delighted, but he couldn't hold on to it and even recalling Kili's happiness did nothing more than provoke a wan smile. He didn't understand it, but he itched to punch through doors he passed and even stopped to flex his fist at one particularly elegant entryway.
"My Lord? Do you need anything?"
Startled out of his thoughts, he shook his head at the young guard quivering in front of him.
"You're new to your post, aren't you? Dnorr, is it?"
"Yes, my King!" The green recruit straightened and beamed at the recognition. "Do you ... require anything?"
"No, thank you. Go about your business."
"Aye, my Lord!" and he bustled away with a newly important air.
Thorin needed nothing save for some activity to distract him, but punching through doors wouldn't serve. His subjects would think him mad, as well as wasting finely carved doors, but weapons training always lifted his mood. He hoped to find a sparring partner to train with and headed to the Hall of Armaments. A carved war ax and broad sword crossed over the entrance. He stopped to look up and noticed the elegant curve of the ax head and how the blade edge gleamed brighter to denote sharpness. The grain of the oak handle could pass for real wood if not for its color, and he spied a carefully carved knothole just at the grip. He tilted his head. The ax head had runes incised. He never noticed them before.
Last Kiss
He turned his attention to the fearsome, double-edged sword and traced with his eyes the angular design with all its intricate edges. Smiling, he imagined Areen running her hands along the grooves, her expression brightening as she figured out its shape. He most enjoyed the moments when recognition dawned, and she stroked and patted the carvings in greeting.
She would love these.
"My Lord?"
Thorin turned to see two guards standing at attention with curious expressions. They bowed at once and then looked over his head up on the wall to see if anything was amiss.
"Do you need anything, my Lord?"
"No, but I commend your attention. Go about your business."
Lingering no longer, Thorin walked into the chamber and nodded to those cleaning the weapons and sparring rings. They startled at their king being in their midst at such a time and clutched their mops, brooms, and polishing cloths.
"Your Majesty!" As one they bowed low. An old dwarf stepped forward.
"Do you need anything, my Lord? Shall we clear a ring for you?"
Thorin blinked at what was becoming the theme of the day.
"No, no, although you have my thanks for making this hall the envy of other clans." To the last, they stood straighter and lifted their chins. "Go about your business."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Thorin took a quick look at the day's schedule. He was between training times, and the roster of sparring partners had no vacancies. He could, of course, order a soldier or guard to stand down and take his place, but he wouldn't. Dwarves coveted training slots like the best seats at a feast and never missed their scheduled times. He wouldn't deprive another from venting his frustration or capitalizing on a welcome burst of energy. Disappointed, he looked around the chamber and saw racks of bows lining the walls. Target practice, while not as strenuous, also required strength and concentration, and he felt a sore need to refocus. Fingering through his personal rack of bows, he chose one made of yew and tested its string. Satisfied, he slung a quiver of fine fir arrows on his shoulder and headed off. Entering the archery range, he noticed that someone had altered its layout and added a number of unusual features including bells with strings attached. He checked the day's schedule again, but nothing accounted for what he saw, although he noticed that several others had checked off times a little later on.
Very well. I have the range to myself for the moment. It will suffice.
Fitting an arrow, Thorin took aim at the largest, center target and shot into the third ring. Grumbling, he nocked another arrow and let fly to hit even further out. The third arrow landed just outside the bull's eye. Thorin looked around the empty chamber and wondered if target practice was a bad idea after all.
Maybe the figures instead of the target for another go.
He nocked another arrow and aimed at a leering wooden orc off to the left. The arrow nearly took its left eye out. Thorin grinned, and his dissatisfaction eased. Before long his aim turned orcs, deer, bears, wolves, and several elves into wooden pincushions with eyes, hearts, and throats having the most arrows protruding. Only the elves and orcs had arrows sticking out of more sensitive places.
"Uncle, what are you doing here?"
Thorin swung around to see Kili holding Areen's hand. Both had bows in their hands and quivers of arrows on their shoulders. The meaning of the bells and strings and arrangement of the targets now made sense.
"Bells to guide her aim?"
"Sharp as always, Uncle."
"I'll leave you both to it then."
Smiling, Areen stepped in his way.
"This is the second time today. Why must you leave? I'm sure I need more than Kili here to do this properly. I'd be happy to have your help."
Thorin frowned, remembering Kili's insistence on going it alone, but perhaps he needed his help only in the technical sense. Even so, Kili was a much better shot.
"You don't need me here when you have Kili, the best archer in Erebor."
"True enough, Uncle, but I learned from you, if you recall, and you're much better at explaining the finer points."
"Perhaps," he said, still edging to the door, "but I see now that you set this up as part of your day together, and I would be in the way."
"In the way?" Areen looked incredulous. "In what realm would you ever be in the way? Well, of course, there's dressing, bathing, and all that, but besides those you would never be in the way." She reached out for him, but he wouldn't help her. This was Kili's time. Areen stopped and turned to where she thought he was.
"I'm not good at this. Please stay. I need you to stay."
Need.
His lips quirked and a small smile softened his mien. With a jerk of his head toward the targets, Kili urged him to agree.
"I could use your help, Thorin."
His glum mood gone, Thorin stood taller and took the hand held out to him. Areen tugged on his arm and he led her laughing to the first target.
"What I want to know," Kili said, "is how your friends shoot so well at speed."
"It's a good story, but I'll let Feron tell you that."
"If I can get him away from you!"
Thorin looked from Areen to Kili, alarmed at her breezy comment and Kili's equally breezy response, but neither seemed uncomfortable, so he let it go.
"I have more letters."
"And I have more arrows. Not long now, Areen. So far, all reports are looking good."
"Looking good so far," Oin said to Feron after replacing his bandage. "You can expect the soreness for some time, and no lifting your arm above your shoulder. I don't want the stitches tearing."
"So that means no dipping Areen for kisses."
"Have I ever done that?"
"No, but not because you didn't want to."
"Leave him alone now," Lord Vinn said, shooing the twins away. He clasped Feron's good shoulder. "How are you feeling, son?"
Feron grimaced at the throbbing ache in his left shoulder and a strange stinging on his side. Still, every hour the pain lessened thanks to Master Oin's thick syrup of a pain killer.
"Better, Father, but my side hurts too, and I didn't notice it before. High up on my right side." Feron motioned to the general location, and his father pulled at his smock to reveal a small puffy, red wound between his arm and shoulder blade.
"Looks like you caught the point of a blade somewhere, son. Probably back at Lake Town."
Feron thought back and nodded at Sella.
"I'll bet it was that time me and that man were cornered by five orcs," she said. "We were goners until Feron came to our rescue."
"You came to a lot of rescues that day, brother," Tildur said with admiration. "How many owe their lives to you?"
"At least 20," Mebla said. She patted her brother's arm, and pride shone in her eyes. "Just about everyone on this trip at one point or other."
"You exaggerate."
"No, she doesn't, son," Lord Vinn said. "I'm proud of you, Feron, of all of you. You are a credit to our people. Now let's see to this cut. Master Oin!" Oin bustled over, and Lord Vinn pulled back the smock. "Unfortunately, the shoulder pain obscured a wound. I'll ask you to see to it too, if you please."
Oin ran light fingers over the small but deep cut and shook his head.
"I need a hot calendula and lavender poultice over here!" He turned back to Feron with concern. "My apologies. We were so concerned about your shoulder, we didn't check for other wounds."
"Don't blame yourself, Master Oin," Lord Vinn said. "You've had your hands full, and he didn't know it himself until now."
"It was never cleaned and should have been stitched, so I want to keep an eye on it for awhile."
Feron's eyes flew open.
"But I'll be released with the others, aye? I'll leave with them?"
Oin couldn't help but chuckle at the young dwarf's obvious thoughts. He'd become fond of Areen's suitor in spite of his loyalty to Kili and thought they would be fast friends if not for the inevitable clash to come. Lord Vinn and those who came with him were honorable, loyal, and amusing. More than once he laughed under his breath at the witty comments that tossed back and forth like a game of hot potato.
"No, they'll keep you here for a freak of nature exhibit, Feron. Pickled in brine. See that tub over there?"
Sella rapped a measuring stick on Tildur's knuckles. He yelped, and she waved it in the air, pleased at her intervention.
"Look what I found and so flexible." She held the stick at both ends and bent it into an arc. "So many unexpected uses!"
"That's enough," Lord Vinn said after a wink. "Feron needs to rest."
"He's not going to get that now," Mebla said. "Father look," and they turned to see Lord Boron making his way toward them.
"Say nothing," Lord Vinn whispered before acknowledging Lord Boron's greeting. "Lord Boron, what brings you to our side of the hall?"
"I wasn't aware there were sides," he replied. He waited a beat. "However, I meant to ask after Feron, but I've been much engaged with other matters." He looked back with distaste at his liege but regained his affability with ease.
"My Lord's been distressed," Lord Vinn said, offering nothing to interpret. "Running for our lives with orcs snapping at our heels would upset anyone."
"Of course, of course, but I've been remiss not to thank you, thank you all for saving our lives. If not for you three," and he nodded to Feron, Mebla, and Tildur, "we would not have survived the last attack, and your exploits at Lake Town have been much remarked on by all the guards. It's not too much to say they feel in your debt."
"We did only what anyone would do," Lord Vinn said. Sella, Mebla, and Tildur gathered around him and Feron, presenting a united front. "We expect no gratitude."
"Still," Lord Boron said with an easy smile, "you have mine. You devotion to our people is noble, and your constant care of our queen and lovely princess cheers my heart."
Lord Vinn stared down at the shorter dwarf, knowing something was afoot but not having enough information to make a move. Mebla opened her mouth only to have Sella pinch her arm.
"It is only what any loyal subject of the realm would do."
"No, it is not, and they need your assistance now more than ever."
No one moved, and all expressions shuttered and retreated into wary watchfulness.
"Are you saying they're in harm's way?" Lord Vinn said slowly while keeping hawk eyes on Boron. "Have the Durins not treated Princess Areen well?"
"The Durins are not to blame for what happened." He grimaced at Lord's Vinn clenched fists and stern face. Behind him Feron struggled to push himself up to sitting position and grunted when he put pressure on his shoulder.
"Don't, brother!" Tildur said. He held Feron back and kept his voice low. "Let us take this one. You've done more than your part."
"Feron, please," Sella whispered. "Don't let him rile you."
Lord Boron took a deep breath and continued. "Our sovereign ordered his daughter to deceive the Durins, who reacted predictably once her conditions were discovered ..." Mebla and Sella gasped and grabbed each other's hands. "However, she suffered no hurt from them. Not so from our king. He laid hands on her in my sight." He stopped and worked his jaw back and forth. "He twisted her arm and would not let her go."
"And you did nothing to stop him, Boron?" Lord Vinn's words vibrated with fury. "You stood there and did nothing?"
"It happened so fast. It was then though that I learned he physically mistreats the queen."
"Oh!" Wounded moans came from all of them, and a nearby healer hurried up to see what was wrong, but Lord Vinn waved him away.
"You learned this, how? "
"From Areen, I mean the princess, herself," Lord Boron said. His disgust was sincere. "Queen Nyr must have told her before she left. I'm not sure why, but she must have. Of course, I stepped in and prevented him from harming the princess further."
"And you're telling us this now, why?"
"I fear for them. I told Lord Torfrin as soon as I returned and asked him to ensure the queen's welfare for as long as our lord was in residence, and now I fear for the princess. Our lord bid her to secure a treaty of arms in his absence on pain of punishment, something she was ill-equipped to do."
"I see."
"Something must be done, Vinn. We have an opportunity here to secure our people's future and elevate us in the eyes of all clans. We must make sure the trade agreement succeeds." It appeared clear that whatever plans he had didn't include the Lord of the Grey Mountains. Boron stood on the line of treason and beckoned him to cross. Lord Vinn motioned for everyone to stay silent and follow his lead.
"I'm grieved at the news."
"As am I."
"You've given me much to think on." Lord Vinn kept his expression blank, willing himself not to show any emotion of any kind. Lord Boron watched with a small, speculative smile before their lord's angry voice rose above the crowd.
"I must return," he said, "but I wish to continue this discussion. If you're agreeable, come over to my side."
Thank you faithful readers. I hope you continue to follow the story through 2017! And thanks to Painton, who teaches me more about writing with every chapter.