Oh my god! Guys, I am so so so so so sorry for this chapter being so late to get up. Things have not been so great with me over the past couple of months and I have not had the motivation to continue on with this. I'm starting to feel a little better than I did, so I'm hoping I can just jump right back into this and continue on. Again, I am so sorry about being so late with this and thank you all so much for your patience, I truly appreciate it xx
Review responses;
Guest Palacegirl – I am safe and careful, don't worry. Just going through some mental health issues at the moment, which I hope are getting better, but we'll see xx
SlaveBane781 (for chapter 9) – Yes, the only good thing that came from that man is Aiden and yes he is back on Earth, far away from them. As to them staying with the dwarves, you'll have to wait and see. I'm glad you're enjoying this so far xx
SlaveBane781 (for chapter 16) – Yup. Savage Garden. I didn't know whether this song was right for this part, but I loved it so thought I'd put it in lol xx
Chapter 25
It is night by the time we find the town armoury, having to sneak around and hide from watchmen. We hide behind a boat as two watchmen walk by. A few dwarves sneak forward and kneel underneath a window for the others to climb through.
"Shh! Keep it down." Dwalin hisses from the group under the window.
"As soon as we have the weapons, we make straight for the mountain. Go, go, go!" Thorin says quietly.
With the watchmen gone, Thorin points to Nori, who gets a running start and runs up a pyramid of dwarves who have pressed themselves against the walls of the city armoury. He is able to get high enough that he can reach a second floor window and dive through.
"Next."
Bilbo does the same thing as Nori.
Soon enough; Thorin, Kili, Bilbo, Bofur and Nori are inside while the rest of us are standing outside, waiting.
"The lad still asleep?" Fili asks quietly as he stands next to me.
I nod as I look to Aiden who is laying his head on my shoulder as he slumbers on. Just then, we all jump as there's a huge crash from inside the armoury. Aiden is instantly awake, bolting upright with his eyes wide as he looks around to see what happened?
"What's that mummy?" he asks as he holds tight.
As I'm about to answer, there's a cry from the watchmen in the distance and running footsteps approaching us.
"Run!" Dori shouts.
We turn to bolt off, only for our path to be blocked by two watchmen, pointing their spears at us, Fili puts himself in front of Aiden and I. As the others are dragged out, we are lead through the town, the townspeople gathering around to see what is going on. Aiden clings on tight to me, not daring to let me go for one moment.
We soon stop in front of a mansion, the people gathering in a half circle around us the area in front of us clear as we are lined up. Thorin is standing next to me as I gently pry Aiden's hands from around my neck and set him on his feet, allowing him to wrap his arms around my waist. Thorin stands close, placing a comforting hand on my son's head, his other arm snaking around my waist.
Just then, the guards open the doors of the mansion, an an overweight man steps out with red hair and a short moustache and beard. Behind him, a skinny man, with shoulder length black greasy hair, walks out wearing black robes and a black cap on his head.
"What is the meaning of this?" The overweight man, who I am guessing is the Master, asks.
"We caught 'em stealing weapons, sire." one of the guards, Braga, informs him.
"Ah. Enemies of the state, then."
"This is a bunch of mercenaries if ever there was, sire." The skinny man says.
I recognise the voice as the man from the barge that almost had Aiden and I tipped into the river, who Bard called Alfrid.
Dwalin steps forward, bristling in anger. "Hold your tongue. You do not know to whom you speak. This is no common criminal; this is Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror!"
Dwalin gestures at Thorin, and Thorin steps forward, placing his hand on his friend's shoulder.. The crowd murmurs in amazement.
"We are the dwarves of Erebor."
The crowd whispers in shock and recognition, and people crane their heads to see better.
"We have come to reclaim our homeland. I remember this town and the great days of old. Fleets of boats lay at harbour, filled with silks and fine gems. This was no forsaken town on a lake! This was the centre of all trade in the North."
I smile as I watch Thorin speaking earnestly to the crowd, and the people nod in agreement.
"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 cheer and clap, and the Master looks on, calculating. Suddenly, a voice calls out over the crowd, we turn and see Bard striding forward.
"Death! That is what you will bring upon us. Dragon-fire and ruin. If you awaken that beast, it will destroy us all."
The people whisper anxiously.
Thorin turns to the crowd once more. "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 people shout in excitement and they applaud. Looking to the Master, I see him looking on, smiling and nodding at this turn of events. I can also see the greed in his eyes and know he is only thinking about himself and not his people.
"Why should we take you at your word, eh?" Alfrid asks suddenly. "We don't know nothing about you. Who here can vouch for your character?"
No one says anything for quite some time. I can tell by the tenseness of Thorin's back that he was not expecting this and is panicking slightly. I open my mouth to vouch for him when another voice speaks first.
"Me. I'll vouch for him."
We all look to Bilbo as he steps forward slightly. Thorin looks to him, the surprise evident on his face.
"Now, I have travelled far with these dwarves through great danger, and if Thorin Oakenshield gives his word, then he will keep it."
This has the crowd cheering once again. Thorin gives a small smile, a grateful look on his faces as he bows his head slightly to Bilbo.
"All of you! Listen to me! You must listen! Have you forgotten what happened to Dale?!" Bard shouts out.
The people quiet down and shake their heads sadly.
"Have you forgotten those who died in the firestorm?!"
The people shout, "No!"
"And for what purpose? The blind ambition of a mountain-king so riven by greed, he could not see beyond his own desire!"
As Bard and Thorin stare at each other angrily, out of the corner of my eye, I can see some of the dwarves having to hold Dwalin back before he tackles Bard to the ground. The crowd gets louder, but then the Master steps forth.
"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!"
The Master points accusingly at Bard, and the crowd begins to clamour. As Bard looks away, Thorin looks at him in shock and anger.
"It's true, sire. We all know the story: arrow after arrow he shot, each one missing its mark."
Bard looks around as the crowd yells angrily at him. He then strides forward and speaks to Thorin earnestly.
"You have no right, no right to enter that mountain!"
"I have the only right." Thorin turns and faces the Master. "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?"
We all quietly watch and wait in anticipation. I already know what the answer will be, having seen the greed grow within the man's eyes.
"What say you?"
The Master thinks for several seconds, then smiles and points his finger at Thorin.
"I say unto you...welcome! Welcome and thrice welcome, King under the Mountain!"
The Master opens his arms in welcome, and the crowd erupts in cheers. Bard looks on silently. Thorin climbs up a few steps and turns to face the audience; the people hug each other in excitement and joy. Thorin and Bard stare at each other.
As we are welcomed into the Master's home, Bard turns and stalks off. I watch him leave, feeling myself torn. I can see his side of things, he is trying to protect his children and those around him, fearing that Smaug would bring his ire upon the people of Laketown. But yet, Thorin's right. He has every right to try to take his home back from the one that stole it. He has every right to bring his people home, to live under the mountain once more. And I would stand by Thorin and the dwarves, no matter what it takes.
It's decided that we will stay in Laketown for and then leave the day after tomorrow, so it gives us time to rest and get the supplies needed for the last leg of our journey. The Master gives us the use of an empty house, which I'm quite grateful for. I don't know what it is, but there's something in me that's telling me not to trust the Master, or his lackey Alfrid, with anything, especially having my boy around him, which is why I would rather keep my distance from him, Alfrid and the house during our stay.
For most of the next morning, Thorin, Balin and Dwalin are hold up in the mansion talking over the supplies we would need to get to the mountain. The rest of us finding ways to keep ourselves occupied and out of trouble. We have found a bit of land away from the town where we can practice with the weapons we have been given from the armoury. While we train, I can't help but smile as I hear the cheering of children as they play nearby, Aiden being among them.
That afternoon, we return to the house to wash up from the training and to get something to eat and relax. As I come back down the stairs, I see Thorin, Balin and Dwalin have arrived back from the Master's home.
"That bad?" I ask Thorin as I walk over to him, noticing the tense frustration on his face.
He shakes his head. "It wasn't so bad. We got the supplies we needed, but that man was hard to bargain with."
I frown, having realised that would be the case, having seen how he reacted to the thought of gold.
"We have the supplies. That is the important thing."
He nods in agreement. "We do. The Master is throwing a send off feast for us, tonight in his mansion." he gives a small smile as I groan. "I know you don't wish to be around him, or having Aiden with him, neither do I. But, it will be for one night, and then we will be away from here in the morning."
I sigh and nod as I remember that. One night. Just one night.
Later that night, we all go to the mansion for the feast. After seeing the town and seeing the poverty among the people, I expect the feast to be nothing more than a simple dinner. I couldn't be more wrong if I tried. Just walking into the mansion, I am amazed at just how much. . .richer it seemed to be.
And the feast that was set out. . .it looks like a literal feast fit for a King has been set out. True, the whole town could have put towards it, but somehow I don't quite believe that. I believe that this is similar to how the Master eats and lives. A life of riches and wealth while his people suffer.
The hate and disgust I feel for the man becomes almost unbearable. However, I swallow down those feelings, painfully, Even more so as Aiden looks to me worriedly. I just smile at him as we join the others.
I spend the night with Bilbo, Aiden and the dwarves, keeping as far away as possible from the Master and Alfrid as much as possible, without raising suspicion. As the feast livens up by Bofur signing and dancing, getting the other dwarves to join in, I look to the back and see Kili sitting away from everyone. I instantly worry as I see his face still as pale as before, if not more.
Standing, I walk over and sit beside him. He smiles as he sees me, a pined smile.
"Not joining in the celebrations?" he asks me.
I just smile. "Not tonight. I came to see how you are. How is your leg?"
He waves his hand dismissively. "It's fine, nothing to worry about. I can hardly feel it."
"Kili."
He looks to me and sees that I'm not going to fall for his lies, as bad as they are, anyone can easily tell just by looking at him he's in tremendous pain. He sighs as he looks down.
"It hurts. It really does hurt, Sophia. I've not felt anything like it before."
I frown at this as I reach out. "Let me take another look."
He instantly grabs my hands. "No. Just leave it."
"Kili, it could be something serious."
He shakes his head. "Not now. I'll let you take care of it when this is over, when we reach the mountain, but not now. . .I-I don't want uncle to think I'm weak and stop me from going."
I look to him, feeling my heart break for him. "Oh, Kili. Thorin won't think you're weak, he'll be as worried as we are."
"I just. . .I feel guilty. Because of me we got caught trying to steal weapons."
"Yes, but if you hadn't fallen, then we wouldn't be here now, having the supplies we need, as well as having the rest we also desperately needed. So, it all worked out for the best."
He gives a small smile. "I suppose. But still, could you not tell Thorin about this?"
I hesitate for a moment before sighing. "Fine. I won't say anything. But, the moment we get to the mountain, I'm having that leg. Got it?"
He laughs. "Ye, ye. Now, I think someone else needs your attention."
I look over as he nods to the others and smile as I see Aiden sitting on Thorin's lap, asleep on his shoulder. Patting Kili's shoulder, I get up and walk over, Thorin smiling as I do so.
"Pass him here, I'll go put him to bed."
"I'll come with you."
He then stands, gently taking Aiden into his arms and we leave the mansion. Reaching the house, we go up to the room Aiden and I share, where Thorin gently lays Aiden into the bed and I cover him up, brushing some hair from his face and kiss his head before leaving the room with Thorin.
"Aiden is precious. You must be really proud of him." Thorin says as we sit on the couch in front of the fire.
I smile. "I really am. I admire his bravery while on this journey. There have been so many occasions where I wonder whether I did the right thing in bringing him with us. But, you have assured me time and time again that no harm will come to him, and none ever has. . .apart from the spiders, but that couldn't be helped. Even then, I do thank you for keeping him safe, Thorin."
He smiles back. "You have nothing to thank me for, Sophia. He means the world to me. . .as do you."
I glance up at him and immediately blush at the intense look he gives me. I make myself look down, not able to stare too long into the emotion in his eyes.
"I meant. . .I meant to talk to you about that." I look back up to him. "This could be just me, but, there have been a few instances since Carrock that, maybe, you feel more than friendship to me. In the Mirkwood dungeons, you hinted at me staying in Erebor with you after this, you called me your wife to Bard and kissed my head on the barge. Even at the Carrock, you leaned in as if to kiss me. I just. . .I want to know how you really feel about me."
He looks to me for a few moments before he sits closer and takes my hands in his. "It's not just you, Sophia. I don't. . .I don't know when exactly it all started, but lately I have begun to fall in love with you. No matter what I do, I cannot seem to get you out of my mind, and truth be told, I don't want to. I love everything about you; your kind heart, your smile and your laugh, just to name a few. Before we met, I have always felt as if something was missing in my life. Even though I had my sister and the boys, there was still something missing.
When we first met, my heart somehow knew you were the something missing. But, I didn't want to listen to it, especially when you said about finding your way back home. I didn't want to listen and risk being hurt by you leaving. Now though, I can't not listen to it, I am and I'm selfishly wanting to keep you here, for you and Aiden to stay here, with me. I would take care of the both of you, I would take Aiden on as my own and teach him all he needs to know. Please, Sophia, don't leave us. . .don't leave me."
I just stare at him taken aback by not just what he says, but by the emotion in his voice. Aiden's father never spoke to me with such emotion, with such love, it makes tears appear in my eyes and lifts my heart. Thorin loves me. . .he truly loves me. . .I have to look down to hide the giddy, girly smile I am sure is on my face.
"Oh, Thorin. . .I-I don't know what to say."
I feel him gently take my face and lift my head so I'm looking at him.
"Say you'll stay."
As I look into his eyes, I can't help but smile and nod, causing a wide smile to appear on him, one that allows me to see the whites of his teeth. I'm relieved that I'm sitting down right now, as that's a smile that would make me weak in the knees.
"I'll stay. We both will. But. . .I will admit, I am afraid. The last relationship did not go so well as you know."
"Then let me prove myself to you. Once this is all over and we have the mountain back, allow me to court you, prove my love to you and just how much you mean to me."
I smile and nod. "I will."
He smiles as he raises one of his hands and gently places it onto my neck, allowing his thumb to stroke my cheek. I watch as his eyes run over my hair for a moment. Noticing my look of confusion, he just smiles.
"In our culture, we place a braid in the hair of the women we court, so that others will know they are unavailable. I was hoping, you would allow me to do the same to you."
I nod, the smile never leaving my face. "Of course. I would like that."
His smile widens as he reaches a hand out and weaves a braid on the left side of my head, taking out one of his beads and clipping it to the end of my braid.
"There. Perfect." Thorin says as he gently runs his thumb over the bead.
I smile as I look to it for a moment before looking to the braid he took it from. "What about your braid? Won't it fall out."
He just shakes his head, a reassuring smile on his face. "It does not matter. Seeing you with my bead and braid is all that matters."
Looking over his braid, it troubles me that he sacrificed his bead for me, knowing how much their hair matters to them.
"Can-Can that be turned into a courting braid?"
He blinks, not having expected such a question. "Well, it can. Both our braids will be the same."
I then reach back to my ponytail, pulling out the hair band and letting my long hair fall before tying it a few times in the braid. I smile as I pull away once I am done, allowing Thorin to look at it. I am thankful the band is black and not one of the pink ones I have in my pack still in Mirkwood.
"There. Not as lovely as your bead, but at least it will hold."
After looking at it for a while, he looks back to me, a soft smile gracing his lips, which once again sends my heart to flip.
"Again, it does not matter. It came from you, from your heart, that is all I need."
I smile, looking down as I blush slightly. I then feel Thorin gently lay a hand on the side of my neck, causing me to raise my head as he stroke my cheek with his thumb.
"Would it be too forward of me to kiss you?"
I shake my head, still smiling. "Not at all."
He grins as he places his other hand on the other side of my neck as he gently pulls my face towards him while he leans in and our lips meet in the middle. I let out a sigh as our lips move with each other. They're so soft, warm and loving and the passion I feel coming from him. . .it's almost overwhelming. They say that you should see fireworks when kissing, and I can certainly see them. My heart beating like the hooves of wild horses.
We slowly pull away after a few moments, letting our foreheads rest against each other as we catch our breaths. I can't help the giggle that slips out, causing him to open his eyes and look at me.
"What?"
I smile up at him, blushing slightly. "Nothing. It's just. . .I used to wonder what it would be like to kiss you with your beard."
He smiles softly back. "And?"
I reach up and run my hand over his short beard. "Very nice. So nice I want to do it again."
He chuckles as one of his hands goes to my waist. "Then, who am I to stop you?"
I grin as I press my lips to his once more, my arms going around his neck where my fingers play with the hair on the back.
It's safe to say, that night, I slept with a big smile on my face.
And there we have it. Sophia and Thorin have now admitted their feelings and Sophia and Aiden are going to be staying! Yay! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter as much as I did writing it. If you wanna find out what happens next, stay tuned for more. xx