Disclaimer: I don't own any familiar characters, and or anything pertaining to the world of the Hobbit. All, but my ocs, are owned by J.R.R Tolkien (who probably hates us for doing this to his work).
Chapter 15
Warning: Swearing
"Please Dwalin!" Magdalen half wheezed, half yelled as she passed Dwalin for the tenth time. Sweat drenched her face and edges of her hair. Her legs ached as they carried her around the arena, her body begging her to stop and lay down. Dwalin, however, didn't agree.
"This is just plain torture you know!" She barely got out. The other soldiers who had occupied the training arena that morning chuckling as she passed them.
After Thorin and Dwalin had finally been freed from the document chamber, they spent hours combing over Erebor searching for Kili and Magdalen. When they did find them huddled in a closet in one of the halls, they weren't impressed by the pairs little 'prank.' They had tried to explain to Thorin and Dwalin that it hadn't meant to be them who was locked in, but they didn't care. Thorin had subjected Kili to two more months helping in the stables. While Dwalin was to see over Magdalen's punishment, she envied Kili, and his time in the stables, anything would have been better than what Dwalin had in store for her.
"Keep running, girl. Until you get it through your pretty little head, not to mess with people's lives." Dwalin shouted as she rounded the corner.
"So you do think I'm pretty?" Magdalen stopped in front of the dwarf; she had a death grip of her shaking knees. Her lungs felt like they were going to explode as they expanded painfully against her ribs. She looked up through the wisps of her hair that had fallen from her hair-tie up to Dwalin, who looked all too smug. He moved so that he was towering over Magdalen's folded body. Even without his armor he still seemed intimidating.
"Shush your mouth, girl." He growled.
"You think I'm pretty!" Magdalen teased Dwalin. She flinched when he threw the wooden sword toward her, taking please in she yelped shielding her head as the practice sword cluttered on the ground in front of her.
"Take your stance," Dwalin ordered.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Ahhh," Magdalen extruded as her fingers pushed into the muscles of her shoulder.
Her entire body felt numb she was two days into her punishment and she didn't think she was going to make it another. Galin had sent her a tonic to try and soothe her worn body, but it had done little to help. It was like Dwalin had willed it not too. Stubborn old bastard probably has some secret mind powers she thought grimly. After her training session, she was supposed to go on with her day, helping Ori in the library. Which only added to her aching body.
"Have a nice session with Master Dwalin?" Ori asked handing books up to Magdalen.
She grimaced at the mention of Dwalin, he had kept his promise and ran her until her feet gave out. She thought if she looked at another wooden sword she might scream.
"Yes it was very helpful." Magdalen muttered as she muddled through the top shelf arranging the books. Below her, Ori laughed handing her another book.
"Perhaps you shouldn't lock people in the documentary study." He teased again. She glared at the dwarf. Ori and Deamra were unaware that the trap was meant for them.
She groaned turning back to the shelf. The shelves dipped into themselves so all the books were angled and she couldn't see what were in them. Today they were working in the west section of the library, which was still being renovated. The rows were old and held cobwebs. A thick layer of dust settled on the books that were scattered along the shelves haphazardly. Magdalen slide the book its place only to feeling something blocking it's path. She handed the book down to Ori before sweeping her hand over the shelf.
Her hand brushed over an object. Her eyebrows knitted together trying to balance on the ladder to see over the high shelf. Her fingers pulled at the edge of the thin object, bringing it to the shelf's end. Her arms lengthened as she tried to grasped what look liked a book. Gravity pulled on the book as she barely touched the spine of the book sending to the ground below her. Magdalen sighed making her way down the ladder. She bent over taking it in her hands. The book was thin, the blue leather bond edges frayed from years of wear and tear. Dust collected into the decorative impressions of the leather. Magdalen cracked open the book listening to the aches of the spine. The pages were yellowed and stiff to touch. They were in poor condition, water stains ruined the edge of pages sometimes dragging the green ink the words had been written with it. The edges of the book were black from what Magdalen could assume was fire damage. Pages were missing, and half tore. On the inside of the cover was written something in khuzdul.
She handed the book to Ori "Can you tell me what it says?"
Ori brought the page closer to his face. "It's a journal belonging to a Dwarf named Harion son of Jarion. It says he was a guard in Erebor the date suggests it was before Smaug came."
Magdalen scrunched her nose "A dwarf with a journal." She imagined Dwalin on his stomach writing his darkest secrets in a pink glittery journal.
"Many guards keep the journal as a way of recording any business they see, it's not uncommon."He handed the journal back to her.
She flipped through the pages. "Why is some of it written in khuzdul and some in Westron. Do most dwarves know how to write in both" She wondered skimmed over a passage here and there.
"Dwarves are taught many languages as dwarflings. Some are even fluent in elvish, not that we'd ever speak it. But it's good to know when someone is speaking down about you."
"How open minded of you." Magdalen said, her eyes still wandering over the words.
Ori looked at the girl and her interest in the small journal. "You can take that book if you would like, I'm sure no one is going to come looking for it anytime soon." He offered.
Magdalen held the book to her chest. "I think I will."
They continued on replenishing the shelves for a few more hours, only to stop for some lunch. Ori had gone back to his work station to gather more books when she heard distant voices.
"She is my guest and she will attend the dinner as such." Dis's voice rang in the air.
Magdalen stood walking out of the rows of books currently occupied. She was meet with the Dis's displeased face giving Thorin an icy glare. Dis bent over her brother pinching her brother's arm. Thorin yelped holding his arm. Thorin opened his mouth to protest, only to have Dis shoot him down.
"No that is final," Lady Dis roared at her brother. Lady Dis hummed in delight turning her face find Magdalen standing there with a book in her hand.
Her bright smile grew her hands clasped together in front of her. "There you are, my dear." Dis came to Magdalen's side.
"We've been looking everywhere for you." She said motheringly.
"She was looking for you, girl. I was looking for Master Ori." Thorin chimed in behind his sister.
Dis waved her hand at her brother ignoring his monotone chip. "Don't mind him." Dis grasped her hand.
"Come on we don't have much time to get ready, I'm afraid," Dis spoke pulling Magdalen away from her books.
"Get ready for what?" Magdalen managed to speak looking between the two siblings. Thorin glared at her offering no help.
"The company is having a feast tonight, and you will be my guest." Dis said calmly.
"The company as in the company that took back Erebor?" Magdalen questioned.
The child in her was screaming, she had the chance to get to know some of the dwarves in the company but not all of them.
Dis nodded "They have a feast together every month or so, and I want to introduce you to them." Dis exclaimed in delight.
Behind them Thorin huffed in annoyance, Dis ignored him. "Come we don't have time to sit here and listen to the moody king," Dis huffed back at him dragging Magdalen behind her.
Magdalen looked back to find the brooding king's gaze on her "Ori should be back at any moment, he went to retrieve some books." She called as Dis took her around the corner.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Dis yanked on the thick blonde locks trying to smooth out the wild hair. "I haven't seen hair this thick since Fili was a child!" She exclaimed.
Magdalen held onto the vanity in front of her for dear life, tears watering her eyes. "One more tangle, and I will be done brushing it." Dis spoke gently knowing she had hurt the girl.
Dis ran her fingers through now soft hair, resting her hands on Magdalen's shoulders. "I'm sorry if I hurt you." Dis said guilt rang in her voice. Magdalen shook her head turning to the woman behind her smiling, the tears had dissipated. "It's okay my sister was far harder on my hair when I was a kid."
"You haven't spoken much about your sister, tell me about her." Dis commanded softly turning Magdalen back to face the vanity. Dis picked up her hair beginning to braid it.
"Her name is Susan," Just saying her name hurt "She was the best big sister anyone could ask for, really." Magdalen stared down at her hands.
"We had my grandfather, but there were certain things he could teach me. Susan taught me how to be a girl. When I was a child, I idolized her. Anything she did I wanted to do, she was perfect in my eyes." Magdalen smiled remembering stealing Susan's glasses pretending to read through her science books that she adored.
"How much older was she?" Dis asked continuing to work on her braid.
"She's five years older than me. She's twenty-six right now, married and on her way to being a doctor." Magdalen added.
In the two months, Magdalen had come to realize how selfish she had been back home. It was no secret the sisters weren't as close as they use to be. But that had been mostly on Magdalen, she thought that she was disturbing her sister's life so she kept her distance, only calling ever so often. When Susan had tried to reach out to her, she wanted to be apart of Magdalen's life. She wished for nothing more than to go back and hold onto Susan, crying and begging forgiveness. She just wanted her big sister again.
"Reminds me of me and Frerin. Anything he and Dwalin did I wanted to be right there with them."
"You have another brother?" Magdalen was surprised she didn't remembered any mention of a third sibling, nor had she seen him around Erebor.
Dis smiled at a distant memory her fingers gently combing through her hair. "I had… He died in battle many years ago." She whispered her eyes breaking from their spell.
"I'm sorry Dis, I did-" Dis patted her shoulder.
"It's fine, I haven't spoke of him in a long time… It's nice."Dis laughed finishing up Magdalen's crown braid.
Magdalen studied her face in the mirror, she almost didn't recognize the girl in the mirror. Her hair had grown in the time she had arrived, she wavy hair had just reached passed her shoulders. Weeks of Dwalin's training had taken away the baby fat that clung to her body, leaving her face sharper than she remembered it. Her eyes wandered to the faint scar on her forehead and eyebrow. Her eyebrow hair near her arch was gone and replaced with a sliver of rough skin.
"He use to braid my hair like this, before every training." Dis thought aloud staring at the braid.
Magdalen touched the hair carefully. "Is it okay that you braid my hair, I mean I thought braiding was sacred to dwarves…"
"We take braiding every seriously, we braid each other's hair as a sign of love." Dis said fondly.
Magdalen stood beside the princess, enveloping her in a hug. Both woman held each other for a moment, enjoying the familia warmth between them.
"Come we can't sit here and squall all day, there's delicious food waiting on us." Dis released Magdalen, stepping back to straighten out her dress.
Magdalen nodded her hand wrapped around Dis as she led her up through the passages of Erebor. They arrived in a hallway she had seen before. As they got closer to their destination, the sounds of music and laughter echoed.
Two guards stood erect at the door Dis had led them two. They bowed simultaneously opening the door for their princess. The small dining hall was filled with music, and loud cheering. Dis gave her a comforting smile "This mob of goblins will eat all of the feasts I've had prepared for them before I get in there."
Magdalen nodded unsure if she was ready to meet the dwarves of her childhood. Dis swung open the door, the sound of laughter and merriment hit her like a wall. The room was small and lite by a fireplace that took up the farthest wall. The red and orange colors bathed the room and the faces of the dwarves as they talked among themselves. Beautiful ornate weapons hung on the wall above the roaring fire. A long wooden table took up most of the room, dwarves huddled around it, grabbing at the plates of food scattered along the table. Bread went flying across the table hitting one of the older dwarves who looked around eyeing the others.
"Lady Dis!" Cheered a dwarf.
Magdalen almost laughed when she saw the star haired dwarf stand up moving over to Dis, taking her hand in his.
"Spymaster" Dis bowed to him.
"How is it you look lovelier every time I see you?" The dwarf asked holding her hand between his.
"Nori get your hands off the princess, you rukhsul." Dori called from behind the star haired dwarf.
Dori's eye set on Magdalen's figure, a bright smile light up his round face. Nori rolled his eyes winking at Dis, who smiled at him genuinely.
"Miss Magdalen!" His round face lite up as he smiled.
"Please Dori, call me Maggie." She smiled back at him.
"Miss Maggie it is then."
He took her hands in his, whirling her around. She threw her head back as they came to a stop, he eyed her blue satin dress. The music behind them changed into a jolly jig. The dwarves gathered around the table, began to pound on the wood.
Dori bowed smiling up at the girl "Care for a dance, my lady?"
"Oh I don't know this dance," Magdalen said.
Dis pushed her shoulder lightly, while Dori laughed."You don't need too! I will lead you." He spoke merrily dragging her out into the small clearing between the table and the fireplace. The sounds of the fiddle swelled as Dori lead her through the steps of the dance. Magdalen smiled clumsily following the steps, as she turned she caught familiar faces grinning at her. Dwalin spoke in hushed tones with Thorin who looked oddly relaxed among the company, he even smiled at the guardsmen. Balin sat on the bench near a round looking dwarf laughing as the fat dwarf caught food in his mouth. Oi held up a mug dancing in time with the music.
"Trying to seduce my friend, Dori?" A voice asked behind them. Magdalen saw Kili looking at the pair in faux suspicion his arms locked on his hips like a father sending his daughter to prom. She giggled at the sight. Dori raised an eyebrow looking at her suggestively.
"Of course, I see why you lot have been finding her away. You'll soon have every dwarf in Erebor at your door asking for this Lady's hand." Dori dramatically spun Magdalen into his arms dipping her low.
Magdalen laughed as he hoisted her up right.
"Dori, you can't hog this beauty all night. Come Lady Magdalen, I will let you escape these old dwarves." Kili held her arms sweeping her away from Dori, who held in hand over his heart as she walked away from him.
"Kili getting jealous that I have friends other than you." Magdalen poked Kili in his arm. Kili twirled her around continuing the dance Dori had stared.
"Of course Maggie! Surely these friends wouldn't endure the wrath of the mighty Thorin for you." Kili winked as he made his proclamation loudly.
The music faded as their dance came to an end and Kili escorted her to the long table. The eyes of many of the unfamiliar dwarves on her.
"And who might this pretty gem be?" A red haired dwarf spoke up beside her.
"Magdalen Kathan." She introduced herself. The red haired dwarf eyes widen in surprise.
"I am Gloin, son of Groin." He said with pride
"And you must be the woman that everyone keeps talking about, I should not cross you. I've heard you are quite the feisty one!" Gloin howled the other dwarves nodding in agreement.
Oin who appeared from the red haired dwarves right spoke. "You are a right little brother! This human girl has as from tenacity as an anger dwarrowdam." Magdalen grinned at the healer.
"Miss Magdalen, you say?" A dwarf with hair that oddly resembled Pippi Longstockings hair leaned across the had a long mustache that reached passed his chin and a braided goatee to go with it.
"I am Bofur, of the Ur family." He titled his head.
"My children keep raving about a lass with stories, does that happen to be you?" Bofur grinned leaning over the table.
"I believe that is," She smiled.
"They would have my head if they knew I had left them with their mother, and not bring them to the storyteller." He exclaimed.
"You're a storyteller?" Gloin asked face filled with food.
Before she could even speak Ori speaks: "Yes she is, Miss Maggie, is one of the best storytellers I've ever met!"
This gained more attention from the company."Oh, I don't know about that," Magdalen laughed rubbing her neck, hiding the red that had spread across her neck.
Nori clasped his arm around her shoulder stopping her mumbles. "If Ori says you're the best storyteller, then you must be!"
"Why don't you tell us one, and we will be the judge of that," Gloin shouted gaining cheers from the rest of the company.
"Okay, just let me think of one." Magdalen pushed herself from her seat pacing around the table thinking of what story would impress a bunch of dwarves who had taken on a dragon.
Magdalen turned to see all eyes were on her, she flashed them a nervous smile clearing her throat.
"Yes… I think I've got it." Ori's eyes light up with excitement, he wiggled in between his brothers. Thorin watched her closely from his spot at the head of the table.
"Well, are you going to speak, girl?" Thorin barked making Magdalen jump slightly. Dis smacked her brother's arm, hissing at him in Khuzdul.
She gave Magdalen gracious smile "Don't listen to him take your time, my dear."
She was use to storytelling, at the Red Rabbit every Wednesday she would read books for the child who came in for their after school program. She had adored the way the children would become absorbed in the story, their eyes would widen with amazement as the adventures ensued. Telling a story to a bunch of dwarves couldn't have been that much different than kids, could it?
Her eyes searched the room, trying to find something of inspiration. Wandered the wall her gaze focused on the longbow hanging above the fireplace. Magdalen took a deep breath smiling at the story she had picked in her mind.
"Once there lived a man in the ancient land of Greece. He was known as Orion, and there was tale far and wide of his beauty and his hunting skills. He was so mighty that even the gods of Olympus took notice of him." She paused looking around to see the eager faces of the company.
"But his bravery would be his downfall, as is the fate of so many heroes." Magdalen eyes landed on Kili, subconsciously thinking about his death in the books. Her eyes darted from his quickly when she registered his confused expression.
Magdalen cleared her throat focusing on the story.
"One night while hunting Orion met the goddess of the hunt and the moon, Artemis. She was fierce beyond compare, her beauty caused envy in the most gorgeous of the gods. He quickly knelt before her with respect. The goddess was a warrior and the protector of nature he was trespassing on her domain. Artemis was so impressed by his skills that she requested he joined her hunt. They spend many days adventuring and basking in one another's company underneath the night sky. Their friendship blossomed into something that neither one dare speak of. Artemis was a virgin goddess, never to love any man. Despite that, she began to fall in love with her hero.
Her twin brother, Apollo god of the sun and music, saw this and feared for his sister. He knew what their father would do to her if she were to fell in love with the mortal and neglected her duties. Apollo knew he had to save his sister, so he came up with a plan to kill Orion. Apollo challenged his sister to competition, saying that she could not shoot a target in the distance. Artemis laughed at the simple challenge a quickly drew her arrow, she was a master marksman. She released the arrow and it hit the target with ease. What she did not realize was that Apollo's target had been her closest friend."
There was a collective gasp from the dwarves around her. Expect for Kili who screamed, "I knew it!"
"Before she could stop her arrow it plunging itself straight into the heart of her only love. Artemis's heart broke holding the body of Orin. She took her lover's body her father, Zeus, the king of the gods. She told him she would never feel love again if he could bring Orion back to life. Zeus told her that he could not bring the man back to life, but he could put him among the stars where he could become a hero."
Magdalen's eye twinkled, "So when she brought night, she would bring her only love to shin the world below."
The dwarves were silent for a moment, staring at Magdalen. It was Dwalin who began the clapping, which was followed by cheers. Magdalen bowed slightly, her cheeks heated at the applause. Kili stood up swiping her in his arms.
"You never told me you were that good of a storyteller!" He said accusingly.
Magdalen shrugged "You never asked!" She grinned punching him in the shoulder.
Kili wrapped his arm around her shoulders facing the others in the company. "A pretty face, and a sharp mind. Dori is right; we will have to beat other dwarves away from her." The other's cheer and laughed loudly.
Kili squeezed her shoulder as she wiggled from his grasp. "I don't need you to beat men for me, I can gladly do it thanks to Dwalin." She winked in the dwarf's direction.
Dwalin grunted chugging back a mug of ale. Kili cackled picking up two cups of the drinks that sat absently by a stack of barrels.
Lord, how much can dwarves drink?
Clicking their mugs together, Kili threw back his head letting the golden liquid cascade down his face. When he was done, he held up his emptied cup proudly. Magdalen didn't join in as the dwarves began to chug more and more of the beer. She did cheer the company as they drank and burped as loud as they could. Bombur, as she learned their names, burped so loudly it had almost shook the room. Bofur stood on the table beginning a song she had never heard before. Even Dis got in on the action singing the hand clapping song beside Bofur, dancing around the smell of yeast and honey mixed in with the fire filling the room. Nori took her arm spinning her around the room, passing her off the different dwarves. Bifur gently tossed her in the air when she came to him, she learned he was a toymaker and a gentle soul as he swayed her back and forth before passing her along. Balin had joined in taking her hand showing her the steps to an dance she did not recognize. She had contemplated asking Dwalin to dance with her, but the guardsmen had been none to happy with her that morning so she let him rest. Swearing to herself that one day she would get him to dance with her.
Magdalen grew tired flopping onto one of the couches that sat in the room watching as the dwarves enjoyed each other's company telling stories, laughing, and drinking with one another. Time slipped as she relaxed on the couch, her soft breathing almost lulling her into sleep. Her heavy eyes searched for Kili, or Dis hoping someone would come and direct her to her room. She did find Kili, he sound asleep under the table, it was in moments like this she wished she had a camera. His large square boots hanging out from under the table, his head resting uncomfortably on one of the wooden legs. She laughed the sight.
"It seems my nephew is far too drunk, why don't I escort you back?' Magdalen whirled to come face to face with Thorin. Her eyes looked back at Kili's snoring form, dreading the idea of having to walk with the dwarf king. He had spoken to her the whole night, not even so much as looked in her direction. He hadn't joined his friends in their dancing or merriment. Magdalen felt like she was to blame.
Magdalen pursed her lips brushing her bangs behind her ear. "Yeah, that's fine." She mumbled walking past Thorin toward the door.
The drunk dwarves yelled their goodbye's to her, offering her kisses and waves as she moved toward the door. Magdalen smiled waving back at them, looking toward Thorin who stood like a statue beside the door. Ducking her head, she hollowed his lead into the hallway. The odd pair walked in uncomfortable silence, she could feel his sternly gaze shift toward her every once in a while. But for the most part, their walk was pleasant, Magdalen had tried to talk with the king to no avid. He didn't seem to take interest in her comments on the architecture, Dwalin's training, or how she actually enjoyed her time with the master chief. Thorin strolled beside her grunting in response to her stories, his eyes never leaving the spot ahead of them.
Magdalen stared at the man beside her, he was nothing like she had imagined him in her head. As a child, she pictured the exiled king as an old worn warrior. His hair was white and stingy with a long untamed beard that reached his round belly. Magdalen studied the 'real' Thorin, he was nothing like the crazed, rude, and greedy man she had hated so much as a child. This Thorin stood like a king, had she not been so stubborn and prideful Magdalen might have respected him as a one. She could see bits and pieces of his nephews and sister in his likeness. He and Dis shared the same midnight hair that highlighted their dark features. Like Kili, his nose was thin and long, and like Fili, his smile could light up a room. That was when he did smile. Just looking at his calm mien, she almost forgot why she didn't like him.
"What are your intentions toward my nephew?" He spoke breaking the silence.
That was why.
"What!" She said taken back by the sudden question.
"I see how familiar you act toward Kili. I don't know how people act in your world, but woman don't throw themselves at princes for no reason here." He spoke firmly.
Magdalen gaped at him, Thorin watched as the iron eyes melted into storm clouds. Lighting sparked in them with wrath.
"Kili and I are nothing more than friends, how dare you accuse me of being a hussy."
"Not," Her small fingertip pressed into the leather of his coat "once but twice. Listen Thorin Oakenshield." He stepped back almost flinching at the sound of his names on her lips. She sounds eerily like his late mother.
"I'm not trying to fuck your nephews, in my world girls and guys can be friends without strings being attached. How dare you make something vile out of mine and Kili's friendship!" She roared pounding against his chest.
He stared down at the human, something in him snapped. Thorin's hand clamped around the small of her arm not caring that she yelped in pain. He brought her face close to his, his anger was at its boiling point. He shook her slightly making her stop her squirming.
"Don't think because you have a few dwarves that like you, that you are welcomed in my halls. I AM THE KING." He yelled in so loudly in her ear that it began to ring. "You will not make a mockery of me! How dare you speak such vile words to me." His azure eyes widen wildly.
Magdalen felt her face tighten "You are not my king." She whispered to him.
His nostril's flared. "So long as you are in my hall I am. As soon as Durin's Day comes, you will be gone wizard or not." Thorin warned tightening his grip on Magdalen's arm bringing his face closer to hers. Magdalen's face morphed in horror.
"Is that understood, girl?" He glowered.
Magdalen felt the tears prick in her eyes as he spoke such harsh words. She blinked them away unwilling to give away that he did, in fact, scare her.
"Yes," she whispered hoarsely barely audible.
"You are not a dwarf, you will never be one of us. You're a human, you will die years before Kili even ages. It is better if he doesn't get attached." Thorin said more to himself than her.
Thorin released his grip creating a gap between themselves. He nodded in satisfaction returning back to his calm, regal demeanor abandoning her at her apartment door. Magdalen walked to her bed wrapping herself into a cocoon. Heat flushed her cheeks, tears ceased from her eyes. This was nothing unusual for Magdalen when night came and she was left to her thoughts. The tears always came, but in recent weeks the pain had begun to less. But tonight there was a new kind of pain as her cheeks were wet, her chest contracted in pain. Painfully sobs carried down the hallway.
Sorry I didn't get to post this yesterday! I got super busy and didn't have time.
Hope you enjoy this chapter, as always review and comment. I love reading what you guys think.