I am finally about to resume my writing after being on hiatus for a year. I apologize for that. In addition to working a full-time job, I was also completing several commissioned projects for clients at home. That took up most of my time. Now that the world is on full lockdown, I can resume the unfinished projects that I have put aside for so long. Please read and leave any kind of comment that you like. I would love to hear from you.

Chapter 14: Not Everyone is a Fool

Nyssa spent most of the afternoon with Ori immersed in books in the Grand Library. It was a sight to behold. When Ori described the library to her, she assumed that it sounded too magnificent to live up to the vision that he held. Even finding the place was astonishing. That afternoon began with her searching the Lonely Mountain for the library itself. It took some time to find it even with the map that Ori drew for her. The corridors of Erebor were hard to navigate causing Nyssa to waste more time than she cared to. It did more to strengthen her determination to locate that hidden door. If the door was as hard to find as the library, she knew that the task would be far more than just difficult, and that was a challenge she wanted to take on more than ever.

It also made Nyssa think more logically about how the dwarves found the door in the first place. It had to have been a great secret, even to them, or they would have opened it the day the dragon entered from the front gate and sealed himself (and some unfortunate dwarves) inside. There had to be a map or something to locate it.

When Nyssa finally entered the library, she was taken back by the sheer beauty of it all. The great size of the room and the massive shelves with books of all shapes, colors and sizes occupied every space. The only difference were the amount of dirt and cob webs that covered everything. It was as if the dust created a cocoon around the archives and froze them in time until some soul could discover them and break the spell that they were under.

As Nyssa combed through the few books that were written in the common language, she glanced up ever so often to stare at the many shelves that were several hands high. This was not just a simple private collection. This was the knowledge collected for every subject of Erebor to study and enjoy, so it had to be enormous. It was a travesty that the ancient dwarvish history had become lost after the attack. The only forms of knowledge that the dwarves could teach to their young were the old songs and oral stories that were recited by the elders. Anything that was written was abandoned in favor for their lives.

Nyssa heard some of those songs still sung in the Dining Hall at meal time. It pained her to think about that. She felt a tinge of guilt and sorrow that a whole kingdom was nearly wiped out in a single day. All of those poor dwarves spent a generation exiled from their home and cursed to wander the lands. Forced to start over in a foreign place.

Stop it, Nyssa. You are doing it again. She brushed away her guilty conscience and focused on the task at hand. She had a job to do, and finding that door meant saving her from the clutches of Thranduil.

It was good fortune that the dragon cared nothing for the library and left it alone during the occupation. Ori told Nyssa that Balin said the library was exactly as it was left all those years ago. So, there had to be a record of the history of the dwarf people. Maybe it had a clue as to where the secret door could be found.

Ori was correct when he said that most of the volumes were written in Khuzdul, so she was unable to read them. There were only a handful of books in the common language, and none of them were written in Sindarin. She did not expect the elvish language to even grace the halls of the Lonely Mountain, although it would have been nice. She imagined that Thorin would die a thousand deaths before that would happen.

So far, Nyssa found nothing that would tell her about the hidden door that Ori spoke about. She was sure that there would be something, but if it was here, it would be in the dwarvish language that she could not read. She became frustrated at the thought of not finding her answer, yet she refused to give up. If she could not find it in a book, she would try to charm it out of her helpful little tour guide.

Nyssa looked up from her book on the ancient battles of Middle-earth and watched Ori at the far end of the library. He was surrounded by a small mountain of binders stacked like columns of various heights. Ori took each volume one at a time and carefully studied it while wiping the excess dust from each page with gentle hands. She could tell by his mannerisms and how he gently handled each book that he loved them very much.

Ori cleaned each book in that meticulous manner and placed the book on the shelf behind him. He took another book and began cleaning and studying it before placing it where it belongs among the various volumes in the book case behind him, shelved in its proper category. Nyssa watched for a few more moments and waited until he finished and shelved yet another book before she approached him with her questions.

"You are absolutely right, Ori. This is a magnificent library," she said as she casually walked toward him. She pretended to be impressed with the huge grand scale of the room. It really was not that difficult to do.

"Of course." Ori smiled. "It is much larger than that of the Iron Hills."

"I'm sure it is. I can't imagine there are a lot of written books on the history of your kin anywhere else in the world. You have quite a collection. I wish I could read some of them as a way of getting to know your people better. I feel that you have become like family to me."

Nyssa smiled and watched as Ori lowered his eyes and grinned in a bashful way. Aside from the young princes, Ori was the nicest dwarf she had met in the kingdom. Her smile faded as she thought about how thoughtful and trusting this dwarf was to her since she arrived to the mountain. Again, the guilt was returning, and she tried to push it away. It felt wrong to use this young dwarf's trust for information into that treasure room. It felt like a betrayal, like stealing the Arkenstone was a slap in the face to each and every dwarf that she befriended along the way.

What was the matter with her? She never had any remorse from anyone she ever stole from. Nyssa was breaking her first rule in thieving. She was getting too emotionally attached to her targets. Over the course of time that she had spent in Erebor, she was growing quite fond of the dwarves there. Even Dwalin was beginning to grow on her.

Then, her thoughts finally drifted to a certain dwarf king, and her feelings of hatred soon replaced the guilt. Her determination to complete her mission for the elven king returned, along with the thoughts of finally getting revenge on behalf of her family. Her entire family had spiraled into an endless pit of despair all because of Thorin and the Durin line.

Without that Arkenstone, Thorin would have no claim to the seven dwarf kingdoms. Since the dwarf kingdoms pledged their allegiance to the stone and not just to Erebor alone, Thorin would be challenged for his position. Perhaps, that was why Thranduil wanted the stone, to create chaos for the dwarves. The necklace of Lasgalen was just of elf king's personal greed.

Everyone had their personal reasons for wanting the stone. Nyssa cared nothing for the jewels or the politics of the whole thing. She was getting what she wanted out of the deal, revenge against Thorin Oakenshield.

"It is a dream of mine to contribute to this great collection of our history," said Ori proudly, breaking Nyssa out of her daydreaming. "I am currently writing a book about our quest to reclaim our home. I wanted to add to it all for the future dwarves of this kingdom to read and enjoy."

"That sounds wonderful," said Nyssa as she smiled at Ori. "There are so few stories about that time. I would love to know more about it. How did you vanquish the dragon, exactly?"

"Oh, some of that was the hobbit, Bilbo. He kept the dragon busy while we ran inside to help slay him. The first to rush into the fight was our King Thorin."

Ori continued with his story, missing the key details of how they found the door and opened it. Every time Nyssa casually turned their conversation back to the hidden door, Ori would go on a long tale about how much he admired their king's bravery and leadership. There was no mistaking how much the original company loved and trusted their king.

Finally, Ori turned his story to the key element that she was waiting for when there was a knock on the large wooden library door. The door opened and the dwarf, Balin, entered with a smile when his eyes fell on Nyssa.

"Ah, there you are, Lady Analyn. King Thorin wanted to remind you of your dinner engagement in the king's private dining room. He ordered the servants to assist you. He had the dressmakers create something for the occasion. You will find it in your room. I have come to escort you, my lady," he said.

Ori's excitement dropped at the thought of losing his captivated audience, but Nyssa smiled and promised him that she would return again. She turned and followed Balin out of the library.

"You have made quite a few friends here Lady Analyn," said Balin as they walked through the corridors toward Nyssa's quarters. "Young Ori is quite taken with you as well as the two princes. Even my brother is impressed at how much you have improved in your lessons. Of course, he would never say that you were good enough to beat him in a fight. Only Thorin is skilled enough to match him with a sword and an axe."

"Ori was telling me the same. Your kin think very highly of your warrior king."

"Yes we do, lass. Which brings me to why I came to escort you to your room." Balin gently laid his hand on Nyssa's arm to stop her from venturing further. "You are a sweet, charming, young lass, and my king has taken a special interest in you."

Balin's grip tightened, and his expression turned to one of seriousness. Nyssa furrowed her brow and braced herself for whatever was about to come next. Was he about to tell her that he discovered the proof of her deception? What kind of greeting was about to meet her in her room?

"I don't know the real reason why you are here, and I don't believe it is to help us with securing our mountain," he said in a serious tone.

"My lord, are you accusing me of lying?" Nyssa tried to sound astonished to hide her anxiety. Stay calm, he just said that he knows nothing.

"It is not my intention of accusing you of such things. You have earned the admiration of many dwarves here. I am advising you that for whatever reasons for your secrecy, do not betray the trust that you have built, especially with our king. You don't know what kind of trouble you will make for yourself if you do."

Nyssa felt it was wiser to say nothing and stare into Balin's eyes. Instead of hate or distrust, he looked more concerned. He only knew that something was not right about Nyssa. He had no real proof. She had to keep calm and play this smart or she would spoil everything. Nyssa knew all too well what would happen once she was discovered, and she had no intention of being anywhere near the mountain when that happened.

"Thank you for the escort, Balin. I can find my way from here," she said with a smile as she gently pulled his hand away from her arm. She patted his hand and continued down the corridor toward her quarters. She did not look back at him.

Balin waited until she disappeared around the corner and increased his steps toward Thorin's chambers. He was not the only one in the mountain who believed that she was hiding a few secrets. Dwalin was the first to suspect that she was not everything that she claimed to be, yet what Balin said to her was true. Dwalin had been taken with her over how hard she worked to complete each task he had given her without complaint. Her sword fighting had improved to the level of a proper dwarrow soldier. She could easily hold her own in a battle, but she still had not convinced him that her stories she told them about her past were true.

Balin knew that Thorin suspected the same. His king as much as said so when they last spoke. Yet, Thorin insisted on playing this game with her. Balin had noticed a change in his old friend ever since they first encountered the woman. If she was anyone else, Balin would suspect that his king had formed an attachment. He worried for his friend and king. With the ranger's shady behavior and her failure to be honest with them, Balin could only see trouble for Thorin and the rest of Durin's Folk.

Balin hurried down the corridors to the royal chambers. He had to speak with Thorin about his concerns before the ranger arrived. Whatever she was after could bring danger to the entire mountain.

Thorin had finished with his meetings with the dwarf council and retired to his chambers early to get ready for his evening with Nyssa. He had the cook prepare a heavy meal, and the maids laid everything out by the fireplace in the sitting room. He personally took charge of the wine choice and was in the process of pouring his own goblet when there was a knock on the heavy oak door.

Thorin frowned in confusion. He was not expecting the girl to arrive so soon.

"Come in," he commanded. The door pushed open to reveal his friend, Balin, who seemed a bit out of breath. The feeling of confusion only grew stronger.

"Balin? What's wrong? Did you find Analyn?" Thorin asked.

"Yes, she was with Ori in the library. You were right. Ori was telling her the stories of our journey to Erebor with Bilbo. She seemed very interested in our history. Thorin I don't like this."

"What is there not to like, Balin?" Thorin poured the wine into the goblet and took a sip. He smiled at the taste. This strong dwarven mix should work nicely.

"It is dangerous playing this game with this woman. I don't believe that she is telling us the truth," he admitted to his king.

"I know," Thorin said as he took another drink from his goblet. "I have no proof that she is lying, but there is something about her that is familiar. I cannot explain it. I know the stories that she has told us is not correct, yet I cannot remember why."

"If you feel this way about her then why continue with this charade?"

"I have a plan." Thorin answered with a smile. "Trust me, Balin. I will discover the truth from her. If not tonight, then I will find out how much she truly knows about our security weaknesses during our inspection."

Balin smiled at his friend's confidence, but he still felt unease. This ranger had a way of playing with men's emotions like only a good manipulator could. He worried that she was far better at this game than Thorin. But, Thorin was not just any man that she could control. He was too intelligent to be fooled. He saw through her tactics, but rather than confront her, he wanted to apply some tactics of his own.

Bringing up his thoughts about the ranger suddenly struck a chord with Balin. He had not thought about it before, but as he pondered the idea, it sounded more plausible. There was something familiar about her, yet he also could not remember how. Perhaps it was more of a family connection rather than just her. Maybe he knew a member of her family. It was then that an idea had crossed his mind. He was about to voice his thoughts to his friend but decided to do it later. He needed to study it and see if there was any evidence to support his assumption.

"I trust you, my old friend, and I know that you would never charge into battle needlessly. Just be cautious with this one. She is as cunning as a fox."

"Don't worry, Balin," said Thorin, smiling as he placed a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. "Tonight, she will give me what I want, or else."