Dear Friends, I thank you in advance for hanging on and in. This story has been going on for years ... and years! I looked at the posting date and was shocked. When I started this story, my kids were in middle school. Now they're in college. I went back to college myself and got another degree and a new career. I can't believe it, and some of you have been with me since the beginning. I know you don't have to, but if you choose to review this chapter, please add a line about where you were and what you were doing when you first started reading. For my newer friends, please let me know what you think!
Chapter 86
As we went on and entered the Great Hall, the buzz of conversation died down like crickets do in the night when you walk toward them. They still and then pick up their song again after you pass by. It was like that. As soon as we passed by conversation picked up again with furtive whispers. I cringed, and Thorin pulled me closer.
"Thorin, everyone's talking about..." He didn't let me finish.
"Pay them no heed, Areen," he whispered. "Don't try to listen in. Act as if you don't hear them."
"So, this is a rise-above-it-all-moment?"
"It is, aye. Lift your chin slowly and talk to me about something light. Act as though it's of no matter to us. We must set the example of how to deal with this."
"Very well, Thorin." But what could I say? I felt everyone's eyes pressing in on me and every voice aimed in our direction. Something light, he said, something light, but nothing leapt to mind. I grew increasingly uneasy. It was getting harder and harder to keep my chin up, so I blurted out a random thought.
"Do you know that Bombur uses unfiltered bacon grease to smooth his beard so he can have a little nibble on the crumbs when he gets hungry?"
Thorin almost lost a step before he burst out laughing in the middle of the hall, and I couldn't contain my giggles. My chin lifted of its own accord, and conversations startled before taking on a more every-day tone.
"Does he now? I wondered why my mouth waters when I'm near him." I gave my teasing husband a nudge with my elbow.
"Perhaps the perfumers could make a bacon scent for me."
However, all conversation stopped after we entered the royal dining hall, and family and friends pounced.
"What's the plan, Thorin?" Kili asked without bothering to preface. Others seconded.
"We must nip this now," Nori said with an angry edge. "That she-orc deserves banishment at the least."
Now one might think that Nori's stalwart defense was surprising given our snarky relationship, but I knew he had my back when it counted. But while I appreciated the sentiment, I thought it was the wrong way to go.
"No," I said. "Thanks for your loyalty, Nori. You're a dear, but I don't want anyone to think that I can't face down a harpy. Banishment would be the coward's way out." Nori scoffed.
"Thorin?" he said with angry impatience, "She threatened your wife, for Mahal's sake! People need to know there are serious consequences for something like this. Not taking strict measures might embolden her!"
"True enough, aye," Dori said. "Kick her and her sorry wimp of a father out. They can go back to the Blue Mountains. No one wants her here anymore."
Everyone gave their opinion with some for banishment and others for more drastic measures. Thorin was mostly silent, speaking only to clarify comments and options.
"I thank you for your opinions, but I've already spoken to Lord Mift, ordering him to check his daughter immediately or face the consequences. He knows what's at stake."
"Oh, Thorin, you didn't?"
"Areen, as husband and king, I was fully within my rights, and I exercised them." The others muttered their reluctant agreement, but Dwalin disagreed.
"That's not enough, Thorin. Mift isn't going to grow a backbone now, even with threat of banishment. He'll find a way to excuse her behavior as he always has."
"Very well," Thorin said, "I will take additional measures." So, this was about me, and I had no say? No way.
"No, I don't want 'additional measures.' I'm at a disadvantage as it is, and I won't have anyone saying that I need bodyguards of any kind."
"Areen," Fili began gently, "as family you're under our protection, and ..."
"Can you all give this a chance to die down? Say a week? Look, I'm not stupid. I understand this is serious, but can you give it a little while to calm down on its own?"
"You were distressed by the gossip in the hall," Thorin said. "Are you prepared for more?"
"I was caught by surprise is all. Life at the Grey Mountains is nothing but gossip and innuendo. I didn't expect the same here, but dwarves everywhere do love a good story, so I shouldn't have been surprised. I'll be fine."
"Thorin?" Kili ventured. My husband hummed his deep thoughts. I resolved to obey whatever he decided, but I hoped he'd give this a chance to die down on its own.
"Very well, Areen. I will allow several days for things to calm, but if matters escalate you know my mind."
"I do, and I agree. Um, can we eat now?"
That settled, we all tucked in for a good meal, and the custard tarts were divine.
All that day I didn't think much on things since I had a full schedule. The whispers continued, but my cheerful mood seemed to ease matters, and kingdom business continued. After yet another meeting, I headed with Sky and Otha to see Frerin when two voices called out. It was Arif and his sister. He had learned enough to get around on someone's arm, although he worked hard to make it seem like he was escorting them.
"Areen," he began, "there's talk."
"Be careful, dear friend," Nerla said. "She's had plenty of practice trying to ruin people's lives."
"I dunno what I ever saw in her," Arif groused. "What a fool I was." I patted his arm, and his hand closed over mine.
"I'm sure she can be charming when she chooses, Arif. Don't blame yourself. Come. Let's talk of better matters. A raven arrived today. I hear that the dogs are of age and in training, so they should be arriving soon." Arif was eager for information, and he spent happy minutes imagining doing more of what he used to.
"Soon enough you'll be able to walk around the halls without help. It's only that I'm still not used to Erebor's size that Otha and Kitra accompany me, but I'm ready to head to familiar places on my own."
"Do you think that wise?" Nerla asked.
"Everyone else does, don't they?" I asked. "I should be no different."
The conversation ended, I went up to see Frerin, and we spent several wonderful hours together. Della used the time to rest, and I had my little sweetheart finger familiar objects and try to guess what they were.
On and on we went until he grew tired of the lessons. After that we played King Thorin against the orcs, and I got to be the orc leader. Of course, Frerin didn't allow anyone else to be the king when he played. Not even Fili.
"You die!"
"Again? Don't I ever get to win?"
"Grampa Thorn always wins!" True enough, but after the umpteenth poke in my belly, it was time to go. I wanted to try taking Sky someplace on my own. She was used to Erebor, and I needed to gain more independence. Besides, I wanted some time without chaperones. It was getting old.
"I don't like this, Areen," Della said when I told her my plan.
"Does someone always accompany you, Della?"
"No, no, I don't, but this is different."
"No, it's no different. Sky is my eyes, and together we can go anywhere. I want to take a walk on my own. Della, it's time. Besides, if I get turned around, I'm sure someone can direct me on my way.
"Where is it you want to go?"
"I want to see Slif in the kitchens. I miss him and want to catch up. It's only two flights of stairs down, one left and two rights."
"And then?" I grimaced. I couldn't help it, but I understood her concern and tried not to take it personally, even though I felt like she was treating me like a slightly older Frerin.
"And then I'll head the fountain chamber to try and play some music. That chamber is up one staircase and the second left after the heating flue. Bofur offered to teach me a tune and will meet me there. Does that meet with your approval, Mother?" She gasped and we laughed together.
"I'm sorry, Areen. I know I'm fussing, but you're very dear to me, and after what that hag said, I'm a little nervous. Forgive me." She came over and hugged me warmly. "You are part of this family as though you had always been, and we protect our own."
I couldn't help a little welling in my eyes. "I know, and I'm grateful. I just need a little space, a little time to think my own thoughts. I'm sure you understand."
"I do."
Happy with my decision, I told my maids that they were free for the afternoon. Otha and Kitra needed a break from bustling around the kingdom on jaunts not their own. They had sat through enough meetings, all with perfect composure, but now I had the freedom to give them theirs, and I felt good that I could offer them something they sorely needed. Besides, they had struck up friendships with some of the maids and a couple of handsome dwarrow who had left notes asking for their company. Who was I to stand in the way of romance?
"Are you sure, Areen?" Otha asked, although I heard excitement in her voice. She sounded ready to bolt.
"You are our first priority, Areen," Kitra said, sounding more doubtful. "I don't like your wandering around where that scabby orc can find you. Can't you wait until after this blows over?"
"It's already blown over," I said, determined to be on my way. "Thorin said so. He said that he had spoken to Lord Mift, not that I wanted him too, but what's done is done." I wasn't sure matters were over, but I put on a bright smile and shooed them away. Everyone needed a breather.
"You're sure?"
"Of course! Enjoy yourselves. Please. Don't worry about me. I'm not going far."
"We-ell," Kitra said, "I suppose so." With sounds of excitement, Otha ushered Kitra away, and I took a deep breath and faced Erebor on my own. With a few strong sniffs, I oriented myself and cheerfully headed down the stairs to the kitchens.
"My Lady Areen!" Slif said when I entered. "To what do I owe this pleasure? It's been too long. No one tests out my cooking like you do, and I have a couple of good bones for Sky. Here lass!"
"I've missed you too, Slif. So, what do you have for me?"
After several filling hours, I needed to leave. I'd eaten more than I should have but still not enough, but if I didn't leave soon, Sky would have to drag me bodily up the stairs.
"Too good, Slif," I said with a final wipe of my lips.
"High praise indeed!" He took my hand, held it between his own, and patted it gently. "Where are you off to now?"
"I'm heading to the fountains. I need to work off some fat." He clucked his tongue at me, but I noted that he didn't disagree.
"Who's escorting you?"
"I'm escorting myself for a change." He dropped something on the floor. It landed with a squish.
"Let me call someone, Areen." His good humor disappeared.
"No. I'm not an invalid."
"Please, I beg of you. Not until this thing with Lady Potilla dies down."
"Ugh, you've heard too? What a nuisance. Anyway, it's not far. I came by myself, and I'm leaving by myself. Anyway, I'm meeting Bofur there a little later. If I get lost, I'll not die of starvation." I stifled a burp. "That's for sure."
"Do you have all the stairs counted, and the turns? The railings aren't completed yet."
He nearly frothed with anxiety, and I put my hands on his broad shoulders.
"Have faith in me, Slif. Just a little." He chuckled.
"You've earned it, aye, and I'll try not to act the worried father. Have fun."
I gave him a kiss on the cheek and what I thought was a jaunty nod and continued my afternoon of freedom. I was almost there when I heard the worst sounds imaginable, not at all musical. Potilla and her minions were waddling down the last hall to the fountains sounding like a flock of angry crows. I tried to back up, but it was too late. Where was Bofur?
"Ah, Lady Areen." Potilla's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Going somewhere? You're not leaving on our account, surely? Were you going to make some music? I can't see how." She gasped and then brayed like a donkey over her pun. Apparently, she and her friends represented several specimens of the animal kingdom. Her minions tittered lightly behind her. She came closer until I felt her breath. I stood my ground.
"Because the king saw fit defend you," she said bitterly, "my father lectured me for two hours. Said that we'd be banished. Dismissed in dishonor. Have you ever heard of such a thing? My family has served honorably for hundreds of years. Who is your family? What have you done?"
I had a moment of doubt, but only a moment.
"I'm his wife," I said with all the dignity I could muster. "He could have had anyone, but he chose me. That should tell you who I am."
"And I wonder how that happened? Is the king always going to fight your battles then? I suppose that's why you went with Noble Consort so you can leach off Erebor while 'helping' those who should have died. You have no place here, no real place. You're just some doddering king's notion of how to keep warm on a cold night, although I don't know how his bed is big enough for the both of you."
Now I didn't "see red" as people say when rage fills their vision, but that's what it felt like. Suddenly, I felt as hot as a furnace. Without thinking, I struck out and miraculously managed to slap her face. It echoed faintly down the hall. Sky growled, and I held tight on her lead. She would defend me to the death, but it was my turn now. Potilla stomped over a line and insulted my Thorin, my little Frerin, and my friend. No way. No way would I stand for that. There was nothing else for it, come what may.
"How ... how dare you?" She seethed. "You ... you ..." Her minions said nothing, although I heard a lot of heavy breathing.
"Shut your ugly, flapping trap," I said with what I thought was queenly scorn. "I will meet your challenge on the condition that you keep quiet about it. Not a word or else I'll tell the king what you said, and you'll face his judgment."
I was disobeying Thorin, but I couldn't help it, even if I had no idea how to pull it off. But I didn't care. She had insulted the man I loved, and I would die before I let anyone get away with that. I felt tall and terrible, and for a moment I believed I could win on anger alone. My rage would hit her like an impassible ocean wave and smash her flat on her bulbous buttocks.
She laughed shrilly. "How is that possible, you blind bat? We're allowed two weapons, so both your stomachs will feel my knives. You will pay for making me look a fool."
"You must be rich then." She shrieked and moved forward, but someone held her back.
"Come away, my lady," Bina said. "Leave it for the ring."
With no little effort, Potilla contained her fury. "I have the best dwarvish blades money can buy. What have you got?"
Not much besides sitting on her and smothering her to death, so I uttered a short, silent prayer to Mahal. Help! He answered immediately, which told me that he didn't like how Potilla had turned out either. My lips curled into an evil smile.
"We'll meet in the dead of night, you pimpled warthog. No lanterns, no lights. My weapons are a dagger and the dark."
My husband gave me the last line. He's very clever and enjoys pitching in to smooth out a plot line or two or offer a catchy turn of phrase. Here's the windup before the pitch! Let me how I did!
