A.N. Two chapters in one month? What is this? Quarantine sure can do wonders for productivity. Haha. Joking aside, I hope everyone out there is healthy, safe, and surviving isolation alright. My prayers are with all of you.
Tibblets: I will have an extra note for you at the end of the chapter. 😉
Thank you all for reading!
Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my original characters and plot points.
The moment the girl came into view, Thorin felt a sense of recognition. She was almost the same height as Danica, but had a stronger build, and the thick, wavy hair of a dwarrow dam.
"You have dwarf blood," he said.
The girl's eyes widened, and zeroed in on him. They were the same crystal blue as his own, but her hair was Fili's.
"Who is your father, Lass?" he asked softly.
Any surprise that had temporarily left her vulnerable instantly evaporated. "I never met him, and he does not know I exist,"
There was so much underlying bitterness, that Thorin knew there was a long story to tell. He shared a look with Danica, and could see her concern at what that story may entail.
"Are you, in fact, a dwarf?" Thranduil questioned, voice firm.
"Only half," she answered. "My mother was human, and I was raised in Rohan,"
"And Radagast just happened to choose you to bring the Arkenstone to the King and Queen Under the Mountain?" Thranduil's incredulity was understandable, but didn't make it any easier for Thorin to swallow. However, seeing as he wanted to hear Kayli's answer as well, he remained silent. She looked between them all, distress and frustration making her fidget.
"I was already looking for them," she admitted. "And before you ask why; my mother told me about them before she died. She was from Dale, and didn't believe the tale of their deaths,"
Thorin heard Danica's small gasp, and looked over to see a look of wonder on her face.
"Sigrid is your mother," she breathed.
Kayli's face instantly softened, and emotion took her voice, so all she could do was nod.
"And even though you've never met him, you know who your father is, don't you?"
Another nod. Thorin took a closer look at her, and felt his own emotion begin to grow. His great-niece, and a half-dwarf, just like his own child would be.
"Fili," he sighed. "Did your mother tell you why she gave you your name?"
"For my uncle, Kili,"
The words stole Thorin's breath, but had Danica smiling as she walked forward and wrapped her arms around Kayli. At first, Kayli was unsure, but then sunk in to the embrace. Thorin joined them, putting a hand on Kayli's back. They may have had a victory with the Arkenstone, but this was the true gift. When Danica let go, he could see Kayli fighting to keep her composure.
"How long ago did Sigrid pass?" Danica asked gently.
"A few months ago," Kayli replied. "There were some in our village who were kind to her, but her life was hard and lonely. She gave up her entire life to protect my father,"
"Did she tell you this?" Thorin asked, trying to hide his displeasure at her clear anger toward Fili. Glancing at Thranduil to the side, he could see that the elf king shared his sentiment. He just didn't bother to hide it.
"On her death bed, she had this written," Kayli pulled out a letter, and handed it to Thorin. "She always told me that my father was a dwarf, and that he didn't know about me. She said it was to protect all of us, and she died still being in love with him. One thing she asked me was to return this to him,"
Danica accepted the small satchel Kayli held out, and opened it to reveal a long, silvery braid, with a bead of Durin securing the bottom. A courtship braid. Thorin and Danica looked at each, a deep sadness passing between them. He knew hers was for Sigrid and Kayli, but his was for her. There was no doubt in his mind that she could have been just like Sigrid.
"It appears there is a lot for the three of you to discuss," Thranduil commented. "However, it is very late, and everyone should get some rest. We will make sure Lady Kayli gets a room near yours. Thorin, if I may, I would like a word with you in private,"
Thorin handed the letter back to Kayli, and then followed the elf king to his private audience chamber. They both sat, studying each other.
"Do you believe her?" Thranduil inquired.
Thorin's jaw tensed a little. "I do. The moment I saw her, I knew she was one of my kin. She has the Durin eyes, and ferocity. In one of her visions, Danica saw Sigrid and Fili together. It must have been foreshadowing this,"
Thranduil shook his head, half of his mouth lifting. "I cannot begin to imagine what Thror would make of two of his descendants falling in love with daughters of men,"
If it weren't for the fact that he'd wondered the same thing, Thorin would have been insulted. "He would likely disown and banish us. As it is, I am surprised that Fili also found his One in a human. It almost seems to be a curse,"
"A curse that somewhat extended to your other nephew," Thranduil pointed out. "He was not in love with a human, but an elf,"
It was a harsh reminder, but a true one. Somehow, it seemed as though Thrain's line was not meant to follow the ways of their fathers.
"Did you ever hear rumors of Fili having an affair with Bard's daughter?"
Thranduil poured them both a glass of wine, and then sat back. "There were some whispers, and then an incident in which the King of Dale barged into Erebor, and punched the King Under the Mountain hard enough to break his nose. That seemed to be the end of it,"
Thorin stared into his glass for a moment. "Nothing like this has ever happened in our society before, and could weaken the people's respect of their king,"
"Which was likely the reason Kayli's mother left. Especially since your nephew's rule was still in its infant stage,"
In response, Thorin just nodded and sighed. It was all going to get so complicated, and he wasn't completely sure how it would change their culture. He and Danica may have set a precedent, but for Fili to father a child out of marriage with a human would be nothing short of a scandal.
"To be honest, I do not think much of this will matter before long," Thranduil's voice was more somber than it had been. "The world is hurtling toward war, and more than one race will be forever altered. All that will matter is how we handle the current, and coming trials,"
It was a surprisingly genuine statement, and brought Thorin back to the big picture. War was coming, as Danica had warned them about so long ago. Unfortunately, as dwarves were fairly short-sighted, the scandal would take the focus until a battle was right on their doorstep. In solemn agreement of Thranduil's last statement, they separated to go to bed. Thorin was still deep in thought when he entered his and Danica's chambers. He briefly wished that he would be able to get some rest, but Danica was sitting up in bed, reading the letter Kayli had pulled out earlier. The satchel was on the table next to her side of the bed.
"Did Kayli give that to you?" he asked, disrobing again before joining her.
Her eyes lingered on his bare torso for a long moment, and he could practically feel the heat from them. However, she shook it off, and looked back at the letter.
"Yes. She wanted us to read it, in hopes that we could better understand where she's coming from. It's heartbreaking,"
She handed him the pages of Sigrid's letter, and he sat back against the pillows, holding them up to see.
"My Dearest Kayli,
There is so much that I wish to say to you, but time is running out. You are so strong, bright, and beautiful, and it gives me so much joy that you are mine. Forgive me for how difficult the life I have chosen has been on you. I can say that while I had felt my share of loneliness and pain, I cannot regret my decisions, for I know they were the right ones. However, I must also beg forgiveness for the judgment and cruelty you suffered for the uniqueness of your race. It is not your fault that your father and I fell in love, nor that we were unable to stay away from each other.
We have spoken before about your father. You know that he is a dwarf, and that the differences in our cultures made it impossible for us to be together. I have also told you that we still have family in Dale. It has been a topic of contention between us with how vague I have been about my past. I mean to amend that with this letter, and hope, that by the end of it, you will not hate me or your father. There is so much you have yet to do, and you will not be able to succeed with bitterness in your heart.
When I first met your father, I was still living in Laketown with my family. Your father was one of the dwarves of the Company of Thorin Oakenshield. His name is Fili, the current King Under the Mountain. This, I know, will come as a shock to you, and perhaps you can begin to understand my decisions. Now, I was only a young girl when he and I met, and there was so much going on that I doubt he noticed me. I noticed him. The first I saw him, I knew he was the only one for me. He has your golden hair and icy eyes.
After the Battle of Five Armies, it was about two years before we truly saw each other again. My father, King Bard, had set a festival for the peoples of Dale and Erebor to join in celebration for the successful reconstruction of our kingdoms. His eyes locked on mine when he greeted my family, and it was clear that he felt as I did. We danced nearly the whole night, and secretly began courting. He wanted to marry me, encouraged by the marriage of his uncle, Thorin, and the Lady Danica. At first, I let myself get caught up in the dream. The two years we spent together were the happiest of my life. My romantic illusion shattered when I discovered that I was pregnant with you. I was overjoyed to have you, and one day hold you in my arms, but I knew that it would either be a reckoning for Fili, or the end of our relationship. My father found out about our intimacy, but not about you. He went to confront Fili, and I knew what I had to do. Even if they worked it out, their reigns and kingdoms were so, very new, and a scandal like mine could crack the foundations.
The only person I told about my leaving, and about you was my sister, your aunt Tilda. She helped me pack, and leave without anyone knowing. She has kept my secret to this day. I need you to understand that I have never been ashamed of you, or of having you. You are my pride and joy, and I want you to always remember that. Moving forward, there are a couple of tasks that I will ask of you. The first is to keep your eyes and ears open for Thorin and Danica. The rest of the world may believe them to be dead, but I do not, and I believe they will come back, and your destiny is intwined with theirs.
My next request will be the hardest for you. Enclosed with this letter is the courting braid your father placed in my hair so many years ago. I wish you to return it to Fili. Revealing your identity will be up to you. Just follow your heart.
Be strong and kind, my love. This is only the beginning of your journey. Know that I will always be with you, and loving you.
Love always,
Your Mother
Thorin lowered the pages, and heaved a sigh. "Poor woman. No wonder Fili fell for her; she has a courage and selflessness that exceeds so many others. This will break his heart,"
"But he will have Kayli," Danica took the pages and set them next to the satchel.
"Who hates him," Thorin countered. "She blames him for her mother's pain, and probably her own, because Sigrid exiled them to protect Fili. He will blame himself as well, even without her contribution,"
Danica snuggled against him, stroking his chest. "He will also have us,"
Another cynical comment was on Thorin's tongue, but he held it. Their arrival, along with such a scandal could undo quite a bit of the confidence Fili had earned. Instead of voicing his concerns, Thorin wrapped an arm around his wife, and stroked her soft skin. She lifted her face, seeking his lips, and what he thought would be a soft kiss goodnight, became the next step to the look she had given him earlier. Her mouth was hot and eager, and caught him off guard. Before he knew it, she had shrugged out of her nightgown, and was guiding his hands over her body.
"I want you," she groaned. "Now,"
He gladly appeased her.
P.S. Tibblets, you were right! Good memory! :) I didn't want to give anything away at the beginning by responding with too much. Lol.
