Sorry it's been so long, but, well, life. I finished my Hobbit story Through the Eyes of Another a while ago (product placement!) and needed to replenish my creative juices. I have rewritten things some to make Darcy a little less humble, so that the lesson to come makes more sense. Please review.

Chapter 6

"So, you have stories of 'little folk' in the woods," Thorin asked, narrowing his eyes at Darcy's tale of puckish, little people scampering about the wilds with their magic and mischief. "Leprechauns you call them?"

"They're mostly legends from a land called Ireland, but myths travel, and such things are still believed here among the unlearned." He chuckled. "They may never recover from their sight of you and the story that your people inhabit my woods instead," Darcy said with a roguish smile. "In fact, I doubt whether they or their ilk will set foot in the whole of Derbyshire after this, but tell me more about your rope. Is it truly magical as you say?"

"You doubt me?" Thorin asked with a hint of a smile, now easy in the tall gentleman's presence. "A demonstration is in order." His mouth turned down. "Although I refuse to be beholden to elves, this rope was found in battle, and I've found it useful." With a flick of his wrist, the rope whipped around the nearest tree and wrapped itself without effort. Thorin flicked his wrist again and let go of the rope. The ends tied themselves into a complicated knot. Darcy was impressed but no longer astonished.

"And does it untie itself as well? Thorin grinned, walked over to the tree, and tugged on one end. The knot came undone without effort. Another flick of the wrist, and the rope coiled back into Thorin's hand. "I say, that would be immensely useful." Darcy shook away the thought of dazzling Elizabeth with such a feat and then pulling her into his embrace and ...

"You're thinking of your woman," Thorin said matter of factly after a shrewd glance at Darcy's soft smile. "Best keep to the matter at hand. You can think about love-play later. That is, if you ever get that far." He smirked at Darcy's outraged and then embarrassed flush. "First things first."

Darcy shook his head to dispel the image. "As you say, Thorin. I respect your mental discipline. You always stay focused on the present." The King of Erebor shrugged.

"Either that or be gutted by an orc or other fell beast in the wild. The threat of assassination is also always a possibility. Many of those who hanker after Erebor's wealth would be glad of removing me or any of my kin from our rightful place."

"I see. Well, my lord king," Darcy said with a bow, "shall we proceed?" Amused, Thorin inclined his head.

"Aye. For whatever reason, the Valar saw fit to send me here, so I might as well make myself useful." Darcy laughed softly at Thorin's unexpected wit.

"Indeed, Thorin. I am most grateful for your assistance and, frankly, I am very much looking forward to this now that I have my wits about me."

"A welcome diversion," Thorin said. He squared his shoulders and adjusted his sword and dagger. "As you will then."

Nodding, Darcy left the path and made his way into the woods as quietly as he could. Thorin took another route to slip in behind the interlopers. Darcy wrinkled his nose at the intensifying stink. Soon enough, he came to a clearing and stopped to assess the situation without being seen. There were three poachers a little way beyond, one adult, and the others little more than boys for all their manly odor.

Fortunately, a low growl sounded, and the men froze.

"A wolf!" They scrambled to their feet and backed against a tree for safety, which must have been Thorin's intention for his rope came quick as the wind and whistled as it lashed the men against the tree, flying around until their bodies were wrapped tightly against the trunk. They cried out in fear but fell silent when heavy footfalls sounded in the brush. Thorin began chanting in a deep, menacing brogue, and quite unlike the fairy tale, merry songs of leprechauns, Thorin's song vividly described beheadings, disemboweling, and other ghoulish forms of torture. The men whimpered and then gasped when the dwarf king stepped into the clearing with both his sword and dagger drawn. Staring with wide eyes, the poachers took in Thorin's weapons and appearance before looking at each other for information no one had. Large beads of sweat broke out on their foreheads.

"You know of us 'little people,' aye?'" Thorin nearly growled the question. The men nodded reflexively. "Think we small and harmless save for our magic, do you?" Thorin paused for dramatic effect and lifted his chin. Power and authority radiated off him. "We are not." The men swallowed hard. One of them opened his mouth, and Thorin swung his sword at his throat. "You think you know us, but you do not. We know you, however. We are always listening, and we are always watching. We have protected these lands for more than a thousand years, and the Darcys have ever been friends of our forests." The dagger swung in the man's direction. "We do not interfere with the affairs of big folk, but your crimes have gone on long enough. You teach your young here to steal while you sit back and leave them to suffer the consequences, aye? The man gulped. "Harken to what I say! Those who have disappeared never to be seen again fell by our swords, cried out for mercy before we quartered them over flame, and promised anything and everything before we carved their hearts from their bodies. Such are the fates of those who bring evil to our forests."

Thorin looked up and around, nodding around the clearing as if he were speaking to an many others. Darcy rustled several bushes, and Thorin acknowledged his "audience." The men cried out and begged for mercy. Thorin bared his teeth and drew blood after his sword jabbed the older man lightly in the hollow of his throat. "As you are near to Pemberley keep, however, we leave your fates to Master Darcy for we know that he would not wish his people to find such gruesome sights so near his family. You will stay until his people find you. You will not move. If you try, we shall spill your blood on the ground." The men nodded mutely. "We will be watching." With a snap of his wrist, the elven rope came undone. Thorin fixed his gaze on their terrified faces before disappearing into the woods. He met Darcy a little way off.

"Rope or no, they will not move," Thorin said with grim satisfaction, "Their fear has claimed them fully." He held Darcy back from heading into the woods. "No need. Someone is coming. Riders. Probably from your keep. I will keep watch here." Darcy cocked his head but heard nothing. He knew better though than to argue with Thorin.

"Very well. I will see to them." With that, Darcy walked out of the woods and saw his foreman and two stable hands riding up the road, all armed. He found that his desire for vengeance had cooled, so mesmerized was he by Thorin's riveting performance.

If he ever needed another line of employment, he would be the toast of London.

"Mr. Darcy, sir," his foreman said. "Thank goodness, sir. You didn't arrive on schedule, and Miss Georgiana grew worried."

"All is well," Darcy said. "The carriage broke a wheel two miles back, and as it was a lovely day, I decided to walk." He glanced at the woods. He rubbed his chin, uncertain how to explain the dwarf king's presence when he showed himself. "As it happens though, our poachers have returned." The men gasped. "I need you to apprehend them." The men nodded with determination, dismounted, and prepared their weapons. "You'll find them about two-hundred paces that way."

"They didn't run off when they saw you, Mr. Darcy, sir?" The foreman asked with a scratch behind his ear. "I don't follow."

"I believe that their superstitions have gotten the best of them. I was in the clearing nearby when something spooked them. They are presently too frightened to leave their position. Once you have apprehended them, walk them back to where the groomsman are, and then one of you can ride and bring the constable."

"Very good, sir," the foreman said, and the three headed into the woods. A moment later, Thorin came out of the woods further down.

"I must say, Thorin, that your performance was splendid," Darcy said. "Perhaps you should take up acting, after all."

The dwarf king scoffed and shook his head. "I think not. I heard your men entering the woods, but now that all is settled, I find myself wishing for a full goblet of your fine, red wine."

"After you, my lord Thorin," Darcy said with a wave of his hand toward the road, his equanimity restored. They started back down the road, both satisfied by their escapade. "You know, I will enjoy the look on their faces for some time to come."

"They will not step on your lands again."

After a moment, Darcy began to laugh and Thorin joined in.

I hope you like!