Her eyes opened reluctantly, she was still exhausted. She rolled over slowly, stretching out. Apparently she had somehow made her way under the covers and taken off her robe, although she didn't recall doing that. The covers felt soft against her bare skin. There was no clock visible, but she was not hungry, so deciding to take another nap, she rolled back into the sheets.
"Did you sleep well…?" A deep voice quietly spoke from beside her, which made her sit up, startled. She found Thorin seated in a large padded armchair positioned by the bed. He looked unusually relaxed, in his usual deep blue attire, but instead of a suit he wore linen trousers and a tunic.
"What – What are you doing here?" She was shocked to see him seated there, but to him it seemed normal. He was reading a book, which he turned down taking a good look at her, half smirking, when she realised she was naked and seated up in bed. So she quickly grabbed the covers, and pulled them up over herself.
"I have already had all of you now… so there's no need to be shy…" he stood from his chair. "I enjoy watching you sleep… Perhaps I should let you get dressed."
He stood up, setting his book down on a side table before walking towards a large painting that hung on the wall, beside the fireplace. There he pressed something on the panel work that decorated the mantelpiece, and suddenly a doorway slid open where the painting hung.
"Join me for a walk?" He looked over his shoulder back at her again before disappearing through the doorway which shut after him.
"Wait – What?"
But he was gone.
She looked around, spotting her robe, thrown over the bottom of the bed. How could she have lost a chunk of time like that? She remembered collapsing on the bed after her bath, but certainly not banging Lord Grumpy! Although he seemed much less grumpy now – perhaps she should have done this all along!
Grabbing the robe, she slipped out of the bed, and threw it on. Then she noticed the book he had been reading; 'Her Nights in the Fens'!
Her thoughts were interrupted by the growling she heard from the other end of the room. Turning around she saw it as real as it could get; the werewolf with fiery red fur!
It immediately found its target, moving towards her on its hind legs, snarling as it stared at her.
Slowly edging back, tying her robe up firmly. She quickly moved to the fireplace shouting, and feeling the mantelpiece panel-work hoping to find the hidden switch, but with little use. The creature was behind and close by, judging from the growling. And as she turned it lunged at her, knocking her back hard against the wall. She screamed in pain, watching the thing as it closed a clawed hand around her throat.
"You should have left here. And now I am going to have to kill you…" it rasped at her, holding up its other clawed hand in front of her face.
Despite her struggle to try and kick it away, none of her blows seemed to touch the beast in any way. Instead it tightened its grip on her throat, lifting her up… and her vision began to fade…
A crack of thunder sounded loudly, waking her up in the darkness, gasping. She lay there still in the bed. Outside it was raining hard again. So the storm hadn't passed.
That had been a terribly vivid dream! She lay still for a moment trying to figure out what it meant. Of course she had found herself drawn to him, despite his arrogance and even his moodiness. But he was complicated, they were from different worlds it seemed, and surely he had ample aristocratic women after him. What's more she had been left utterly heartbroken by her fiancé, and she was only just on the mend. There was no need to complicate her new life by falling for someone like Thorin, no matter how real her dreams felt! And in any case, he probably felt nothing towards her. she nodded to herself, as if affirming her thoughts.
Slowly moving to the edge of the enormous bed, she reached out to the light that stood on the nightstand, and finally found the switch, trying to turn it on, but it didnt seemed to work. And there seemed no lighting emanating from the corridor either. Perhaps the power had been effected even to Durin Manor.
She slipped off the bed adjusting her robe and feeling her way in the darkness, when she heard the sound of footfall down the corridor. Her dream was still fresh in her thoughts, so reflexively she lay statue still, straining her ears to listen. There were no voices, but whoever it was moved fast and with purpose. They walked down the corridor and seemed to stop directly outside her door. But didn't call out her name or knock. Instead they tried the door knob. But by some miracle, the door was locked from inside, even though she didn't recall locking it.
Undeterred by the locked door they continued to twist the handle, but now began to exert some force on the door, and she began to panic. That was her only way out.
Until she remembered Thorin at the start of her nightmare. Moving in the dark she began to feel the panel-work by the nearest tapestry, and when she found nothing, she moved on to the next panel with a painting. There was no fireplace, unlike the dream, but for some strange reason she felt sure there was a secret door. Working with a sense of ultimate urgency, she carried on feeling every inch of the decorated panel-work that ran along the room.
The intruder, was now attempting to ram the door open. It made her wonder whether she was alone on this level, for surely someone would hear this. And it was also certain in her mind that it couldn't have been anyone she knew, as they would have just called out to her.
Suddenly, part of the wall slid back to reveal an opening into an equally dark looking room, but she had no choice, soon the intruder would be in her room! So carefully, she stepped through. The passageway between the rooms was short, and as soon as she was through, the opening behind her, shut. It was in the nick of time, as she could hear the efforts to get inside increase with the intruder clearly attempting to kick the heavy door down.
In the pitch black, a pair of hands grabbed her, one arm pinning her to the wall and the other hand covering her mouth to muffle her scream!
"Shhhh. It's me, Thorin." He spoke firmly. "Be quiet now."
If he was surprised by her arrival in his room, he didn't sound it.
"They're trying to get into my room!" She whispered back, her hands clutching at his arms.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! Why do you think I was trying to get out?"
"Shhhh quiet. You're safe with me." He replied a little softer. He sounded as though he was smiling as he spoke.
There was a deep growl from the corridor and with a final crash they had breached the door. And fighting her panic, she quietened herself to listen.
The intruder moved efficiently around the room. They could apparently see in the dark well, as there were no sounds of bumping into furniture. Whether out of anger or in search of something, several items of furniture were turned up purposefully. Their footfall sounded heavier, as they searched the room on this side.
Her fingers instinctively gripped at Thorin's arms as her heart beat out of her chest imagining what might have happened if she had remaining in the room. To her surprise, his arm came to wrap itself around her, pulling her against him.
She was just a doctor. She had always led a safe life, and never been in any real danger. This was much more excitement than she bargained for! If she hadn't escaped in the last two minutes she would have been caught!
They finally heard the intruder look inside the wardrobe and there was a sound of an animal sniffing the air several times, followed by a frustrated growl, before it seemed to run out! There were further footsteps that echoed down the corridor in pursuit, followed by a knock on the door.
Thorin moved towards the door keeping her behind him. That's when she realised he carried a poker from the fireplace with him.
"Thorin, it's me! They've broken into the lass' room!"
It was Dwalin at the door! And he sounded worried.
"She's safe and here with me." Thorin called out. "Is everyone else safe?"
"Aye. Don't come out! We need to get the backup generator going, and catch the bugger. Stay in till then!"
"Oh God! Is it safe?" She clutched Thorin instinctively. "Be careful Dwalin!"
"Aye lass! Stay in there with Thorin!" And with that he carried on down the corridor.
"He'll be fine." Thorin grunted, sounding a little irritated at her concern. "Who ever broke in may not be, if Dwalin catches up to them though."
He moved towards the door, then took her hand and positioned her in place.
"Stay here." He commanded, moving her back till her legs touched the bed: His bed!
"Are you leaving me here?"
"No. I'm just going to check the door is secure." He softened again, as he moved towards the door quickly. She could hear him checking the locks and the door handle. "How did you know about the passageway?"
"I… was feeling my way in the dark – when it opened. I figured I had no choice, since the only way out was towards that thing…" she couldn't admit to dreaming about it: he would surely think her completely mad!
"Thing? A man, most likely." He moved towards her in the dark, and slowly pushed her back further, forcing her to sit. "Sit. We have to stay put."
She almost bounced off the bed, it was so soft, so instead she fell back onto the soft covers. For a brief moment she remained there surrounded by the soft sheets and blankets, which smelled like him, like his jacket that night, and then she quickly sat herself back up again.
"What time is it please?"
"Almost eleven." He replied quietly. She could hear him pacing in front of her. "How did you know he was trying to get into your room? You were asleep before, were you not?"
"I was woken up… by a nightmare. And the sound of thunder. It was almost as though it struck the Manor…"
"You seem to suffer from a lot of nightmares lately." He paused his pacing. "Thunder always sounds louder here. I think because we are placed high up the mountain. I guess we are used to it after a lifetime of living here."
"How did you know I was asleep? Were you in my room earlier?"
"Is that what you were dreaming of?" He had an arrogant tone again, as if he was smirking. "You didn't come down for dinner, so we imagined you were resting. And I heard no sounds from your room…"
"So you were listening out for me?" It was her turn to tease him back.
He grunted back in annoyance.
"It's just that I am certain I didn't lock my door…"
"Well, that's a bad habit then." He dismissed again. "I am sure you simply forgot that you did."
"I am not senile or witless, Lord Oakenshield." She muttered. It was futile, when he was completely dismissive of her. "I know what I did and didn't do."
"There is no need to call me that, Miss Seth. I think we are suitably acquainted enough, that you may address me by my first name when we are in private."
She wondered whether he referred to their night spent at the gamekeepers cottage, where they had woken up practically naked in each other's arms. Suddenly glad for the complete darkness, so he couldn't see her blush as the memory, coupled with how she now sat in nothing but a robe on his bed, she just remained silent in thought. He too had stopped pacing, paying his full attention to listen to even the slightest sound she might make.
"Did you know about the passageway?" She asked finally changing the subject.
"I knew of it… as you can see my sister has a interesting sense of humour. The guest room you were given traditionally belongs to the Lady or the Manor. Is was said, that she was moved here three months before the wedding, so it could be ensured that she was a virgin beforehand. A guard was kept outside her door each night, and she was chaperoned at all other times by a lady in waiting, so the only suitor that could visit her bed was her future husband who usually occupied my room until they were married. If they so desired, after marriage they were given the largest room. Otherwise, this arrangement was carried on until she came to be with child – the Lord of the Manor visiting her on any night they chose to… couple. It ensured that only he could be the father of any child she bore."
"That's highly paranoid. Whatever happened to love or trust?"
"The match was usually a political one rather than one for love." He explained, his thoughts turning to, what might have been his fate. He would most likely be considered too old for such a match now.
"But wouldn't you both grow to love each other?"
"That could take time if it ever did happen. Love is precious it only ever happens once in a lifetime if you are lucky –"
"What total crap! Are you telling me, each person here has only one lifetime to seek out their one true love amongst the billions of people on this planet?!" She laughed. "Oh and they would have to be open to the possibility of love at the same time right? Then I imagine your clan must find love impossible to find! You have this hatred for outsiders… you're presuming your one true love lives local huh?"
She heard him beginning to pace again after an angry grunt. Then after a while, he stopped.
"And you were in love with your betrothed?" He asked quietly, before adding in a slightly bitter tone. "Not that you would think it any of my business."
"Firstly, I think this 'in love' thing is just people confusing lust for love. Of course you need a healthy balance of both – not that I'm the expert. But I would say yes, I did love my fiancé, and once imagined spending my life with him." Irritated by his judgement she continued. "But I also believe in second chances… and you're right; it is none of your business."
He stood silently in front of her, as though carefully considering everything she had said, then after a while resumed his pacing. It was strange, because she could see him in the pitch black, so she was forced to listen carefully for every cue, or movement he made, since she lacked the normal visual cues, that she had become so reliant on.
"Why break into my room?" She asked quietly, and it made him stop his pacing immediately. He was clearly a clever man, with a broad knowledge. He had dealt with cunning business-types and politicians and still managed to keep the interests of Erebor first to allow it to become the thriving community it was today. But this question seemed to ruffle his feathers in a way she couldn't fully grasp, because she couldn't see his face!
"What did you bring with you? A purse? A laptop? A phone?" He asked carefully.
"Nothing. Even my clothes were taken away for cleaning. Apart from this robe, I have nothing on me –" she suddenly shut up at that admission, which even she realised might have been a bit too much information. Particularly given that she was seated on his bed, in a dark room, with the door locked. Her mother had always hated how she easily she put her foot in her mouth, often warning her that she would not make a good wife purely for that reason! Her father of course had found it endearing and even rather funny at times. This situation made her miss them.
Thorin remained silent for a while as if contemplating his next move carefully.
"Do you keep anything in there?" She finally broke the awkward silence between them.
"No. Not that I am aware." He cleared his throat awkwardly. "That was meant to be kept for the lady of the Manor… but… well… in truth no one has used that room for as long as I can remember."
"So why put me in there?"
"Dis must have thought you were more comfortable there. The other rooms are higher up, and can be a bit cold. Certainly during the storms they feel more exposed." He sounded less convincing in his reply. It made her wonder whether he had asked for her to be put there and whether he really had been in her room and locked her door. He was certainly aware of the passageway! "Did you hear them trying any other room?"
"No! I woke up to the sound of thunder and then tried to turn on the lights, but the power was out. Then I heard the footsteps, and they came straight to my door, because I could hear it trying my door handle. Honestly, I swear I didn't lock that door…" she highlighted the point again.
"We will only be able to tell once Dwalin has restarted the generator, and we have the lights back on." He ignored the implication in her statement but carried on in a slightly softer tone. "What did you talk to Dain about that evening at the ball?"
"Not much – he suggested you and Oin were foolish to employ an 'outsider' and a woman at that! Goodness, I am really beginning to resent this whole outsider term. It's really offensive!" She straightened up at her second realisation. "You don't think that was Dain…"
"Dain is a shameless businessman, but I doubt he would be purposefully malicious. However, he is surrounded by those who are less upright in their moral code." Thorin explained with care.
…..
Her guest room looked like it had been thoroughly searched, but not for a small item. Drawers and shelves were left untouched, while wardrobes, furniture and other larger items were moved around.
The bed had been torn apart, the pillows and mattress slashed. To her it looked like claw marks, because the cuts were not clean. She knew well what skin looked like when it had been attacked by an animal compared to the neat and clean cuts that a blade or scalpel made! When she had commented on this, Thorin and Dwalin had looked at each other, and both replied that it could be a serrated hunters knife.
The strangest thing was that when she searched for clothes to wear she found that her cleaned underwear had been taken!
Fili and Dis had arrived and while Dis had helped Shobha collect the fresh clothes she had readied for her to wear, Fili had been deep in hushed but heated conversation with Thorin and Dwalin.
...
She sat with Dis after getting dressed having a cup of tea. Gorin, Lis and Kili had joined them. When Thorin returned with Dwalin and Fili.
"So when can I get home?" Shobha asked looking at the three of them.
"When the storm eases." Thorin concluded firmly.
"Like now?" She pointed out of the window. Whatever was going on, she wanted nothing of it.
"You cant stay in the house on your own, lass." Dwalin began explaining with an apologetic tone.
"Aye, we will be there, Dwalin." Gorin spoke in support, but he was interrupted.
"Just like you were there when she managed to get herself into all this trouble." Thorin snapped angrily. But something about what he had said, and the way he had spoken of it, felt like a betrayal to her.
"What does that mean? You were spying on me?" She looked from one to the other. Her hurt directed at Gorin and Lis. Had they been asked to keep tabs on her whereabouts? It made her wonder whether Oin knew too! "I thought we had become friends….?"
"I was just meant to make sure you were alright – nothing else –" he stumbled over his own words looking at Lis, who merely stood silently with a guilty expression colouring her face.
"Look lass, the rain has stopped but the winds are still dangerous out there. We are all going to be here for the next few days…"
"Normally when this happens Oin cancels routine appointments at the hospital and just stays in there himself." Dwalin gently explained.
"Then I can stay there too – I'm sure he could use the help…" she stepped away desperate to escape here. Oin had at times been a bit parental in his interactions with her, and after all that had happened this weekend, she suddenly craved to be around her parents.
"We already called. He said there are few inpatients. Everyone has been discharged, no children on the wards… he really doesn't need us Shobha." Lis replied meekly. It seemed more an admission of guilt than anything else.
"Shobha, my dear, you are exhausted. You'll feel better after a good rest – we are having a new room prepared for you." Dis looked at Thorin, slightly nervously and nodded as if answering a silent question he posed, before carrying on. "Come, my dear…"
Dis encouraged Shobha on to her feet, and began ushering her away from the small group who were all watching in silence.
She followed the lady of Erebor back to the grand corridor where she had been given a room before, but to her relief it wasn't the same room. Opening a larger set of doors still, Dis ushered her through in silence.
Shobha had nothing to say, her mind was swirling with questions, but all the same completely exhausted. She just wanted to go home. Why had the attacker only raided her room? And why take her clothes?
"My dear, you are safest here." Dis guided her over towards the bed. "Please try to rest now and we will think about things clearer tomorrow. The storm should have passed by then too…"
Finally giving in to her fatigue, Shobha nodded, slumping down onto the grand bed.
"Ok, what is this room?! It's enormous! And this bed could fit four people quite comfortably – not that I'm thinking of having an orgy in here!" She blushed at her own joke, making Dis chuckle.
"Well, Erebor is over five hundred years old. So back in the day it was considered a kingdom – and this would have been the traditional royal suite."
Shohba laughed at that, since the other rooms were more that big enough for a couple! In fact this could happily occupy a couple and several of their toddler children!
"Isn't it a little grand for me?"
"Thorin insisted. He would rather you were in a room closer to us, and the other rooms are much further away…" she smiled warmly, patting her arm again. "Anyway no one has used this room for a while. Now get some rest, my dear… and help yourself to any of the clothes here. They are all old but clean, and in very good condition."
Shobha stood up and looked around as Dis walked towards the door stopping briefly.
"I'm sorry about all this, my dear. The storm wasn't predicted to hit us till mid week, I think it changed course…" she sounded genuinely regretful about how her picnic plans had turned out.
…