Hey everyone! I am very sorry that it has taken me this long to update. Many things have been getting in the way, but most of all, my writer's block was relentless. I have now discovered mobile writing apps, so I can take my stories anywhere with me. It has helped a great deal. I still don't know where this story is going, so please bear with me. Thank you for being so patient.
This was also the hardest chapter to write thus far. I think I have never struggled with anything else like this in all my years of writing. It took on so many changes. Even now, I don't know if I'm completely happy with it, but it's finally done so I can move along. Reviews and any kind of advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Chapter 4: First Impressions
Nyssa froze for a brief moment after hearing Thorin's name escape Dwalin's lips. She quickly composed herself hoping that Dwalin did not notice.
A noise from the crowd at the market place suddenly caught Nyssa's attention. Dwalin followed her gaze to the scene with the guards and the merchant before turning back to her. He eyed the honey cake in her hand, then smirked.
"The trouble in the market over there, that wouldna' have anything ta do wit ya. Would it, lass?" he asked as he gestured to the crowd in the street.
Nyssa put on her best innocent look and shook her head. Norag slowly moved his hand to the hilt of his knife strapped to his belt. He waited for any quick movement from the human that justified pulling it. He did not trust her and wanted any excuse to bring her down.
"Well, lead the way to the healer's house, lass. They're waiting," Again, Dwalin gestured for her to move on. "Or, perhaps we call out ta those guards over there, maybe help sort out their troubles."
Nyssa smiled, gave a slight nod to the dwarves and turned down the alleyway heading back to the healer's house. The two dwarves followed behind her never taking their eyes off of her.
As they walked through the alley turning onto another street, Norag leaned toward Dwalin. Keeping his voice low, he expressed his dislike and distrust for the woman. Dwalin nodded in agreement but reminded his man that it was the king's orders that they bring her to him.
Nyssa pretended not to hear their conversation but smiled nonetheless. They were being cautious, which is what she would do in their shoes. It is good that they are weary. If they treated her any other way, it would be her that felt unease, like she was walking into a trap.
They reached the healer's house. Nyssa stopped at the steps and turned toward the two dwarves.
"Well, go on, lass," ordered Dwalin.
"You said, 'they're waiting.' Who else is in there with your king?" she asked.
"Lord Bard of Dale, my brother Balin, advisor to our king, and an elf from the Woodland Realm."
Again, Nyssa did not move. Hearing that an elf from Thranduil's kingdom wanted to see her was troublesome enough, ye, she recognized this as an opportunity to gain access to Erebor. If she could convince Thorin that she was useful to him in some way, he may open up the mountain to her.
There were a few obstacles in her way. Dwarves were not known for their trust in other races, nor were they as gullible as men. The elf might pose as a problem for as much as Thranduil wants those jewels, he would also like to see her fail. There was also a personal issue that she had with the dwarves of Erebor, particularly Thorin Oakenshield.
"I guess you leave me with very little choice, Master Dwarf. Shall we proceed?"
Nyssa gestured for Dwalin to lead the way, but the dwarf only smiled while standing rooted in his position like an immovable mountain. He motioned for her to go ahead of them.
Like I thought, untrusting.
Nyssa entered the dealer's house first and was directed into a large room where the Lords of the kingdoms had congregated. Lord Bard and a white haired dwarf dressed in red sat next to a long table to the left of the room. The elf stood by the table with the wine on the opposite side while a more majestic looking dwarf stood by the fireplace smoking his pipe. Judging by the way he presented himself, Nyssa could only guess that he was none other than Thorin, King Under the Mountain.
Nyssa entered the room just as all conversations stopped and focused their attentions on her. The white haired dwarf stood and immediately began his introductions.
He is quite the diplomat.
"I am Balin, at your service," he said with a bow. "This is Lord Bard of Dale, Ambassador Elion of the Woodland Realm, and Lord Thorin, King of Erebor. What is your name, my dear?"
Nyssa contemplated giving them a false name. Thranduil knew who she was instantly. Her reputation preceded her name quite often. If any of them knew who she was, her chances to enter Erebor would dwindle rapidly. In fact, the only part of Erebor she might see would be the inside of a dungeon cell.
"Analyn," she said the first name that came to mind. A name she had not heard in many years.
She looked at Thorin when she spoke that name, and a feeling of anger washed over her. Thorin remained stoic with his face like hard stone. Did he know that she was lying? Does he even remember her and her family?
"Thank you for coming," said Bard who nodded his head in respect.
"Oh, I was unaware that I had a choice," replied Nyssa.
There was some slight grumbling from the other lords. Thorin smirked at her and turned back to watch the fire dance all over the logs in the fireplace. He was not impressed by her impertinence. Nyssa continued to stare but schooled her expressions to hide her hatred for the dwarf king.
"I apologize for my brother, my dear," said Balin. "He can seem aggressively persuasive at times."
That's one way of putting it.
"How may I be of service to such a royal company?" Nyssa bowed to the men and smiled.
"We were told that you came across an orc party when you became injured. My brother, Dwalin, was tracking an orc trail when he found you trying to fight them off."
"Yes. That is correct. I fail to see what you….."
"What were you doing near the edge of the lake around our borders?" Thorin interrupted.
She never heard the King's voice before. It was low pitched and dark, very rich for a man who was just over five feet tall. He rose to his full height when he spoke towering over her short form by an inch or two. She was very short for a human.
"I was merely passing through, my lord. I discovered a couple of orc scouts along the embankment and followed them. That was when I was discovered and had to fight for my life."
"You were very lucky, my dear," said Lord Bard. "We nearly lost you."
"I thank you, my lords, and Mr. Dwalin for finding me," Nyssa turned to Dwalin and smiled.
Dwalin nodded but said nothing. He felt uneasy with this human. She appeared on their land from what seemed like nowhere. They knew nothing about her except only what she had told them thus far. How could they possibly know if she were lying?
"Where did you come from, my dear?" asked Elion.
There was something about that elf that disturbed her. Part of it was the way he looked at her, as if he were studying a lesser species of animal. Nyssa made up her mind that she did not like him from the start.
"I come from the North, sir," said Nyssa.
There was no use lying a out that. They would have noticed from her clothing.
"One of the Dunedain. What makes you think that we can trust a ranger?" said Thorin.
"I never asked for trust, my lord. You sent for me. I was ready to be on my way when your captain came to get me."
"My king means no disrespect, my dear," said Balin. The old dwarf stepped in when he saw his king become irritated.
"I understand, sir. A strange woman has entered your lands, and you are naturally weary of her. Yet, you cannot help but also be curious. Am I correct?" she asked.
The looks on the men's faces said it all. It was for that reason why she was brought before them. This was her chance.
"It seems that you have a problem, my lords. It has not been very long since you reclaimed your kingdoms, and your armies are not quite ready to defend what you have. Any moment now, there might be another army of orcs or men marching this way to take what you have. I can help you," she said. Hopefully, it was convincing.
Thorin smirked at her proposal. The very idea that a woman ranger knew more about military tactics than a dwarf was ridiculous. Bard was more accepting, and Elion was entertained by the whole event.
"And, what can you do that a dwarf cannot?" asked Thorin in a sarcastic tone.
"It seems that the orc party would have overrun the city of Dale had I not come across them at that moment. There is a weakness along your borders. I can help you find these weaknesses and strengthen your perimeters."
Thorin remained unconvinced as was Dwalin. Elion smiled at the girl knowing that she was having quite a show of gaining trust in a room full of stubborn, ill-mannered, tempered dwarves. One must move mountains to convince them of anything.
He would have let her talk all day, expect that he knew what his king had tasked her to do. He also knew what the king desired and that time was running short. He decided to help this little thief, and the only way was through Bard.
"Perhaps, my lord, we should consider her offer," said Elion to Bard. "She is a ranger, after all."
Bard sat in silence while the dwarves around him were grumbling. Thorin turned his attention back to the fire while Balin disagreed with Elion. Nyssa crossed her arms and watched the men argue with each other.
"You should ask yourselves, my lords," she interrupted. All the arguing ceased, and the attention turned on her. "Can you afford to decline the help when it is offered to you freely."
Bard was the first to speak after there was a moment of silence in the room. All the men were considering the proposal except Thorin who stood like an oak staring at Nyssa. His eyes made her uncomfortable, like he could see into her soul.
"You are correct, my dear," said Bard. "We have spent two summers rebuilding, and we are still not at our full strength to take on another army like the one fought on that fateful day. I cannot speak for the kingdom of Erebor, but as the Lord of the city of Dale, I say we give it a go."
Balin glanced at Thorin who nodded ever slightly. He turned to Nyssa and offered the support of Erebor. Nyssa smiled and bowed in return.
As she turned to leave the men to their work, Dwalin took a step toward her. She stopped and stared at the dwarf as he motioned for her to pass ahead of him. When she walked by, he leaned into her and whispered so only she could hear.
"I don't know who ya are, lass, but I'm sure yer not who ya say ya are. Just know that wherever ya go or whatcha do, I'll be watchin'."
And, with that, he and Norag left the room.
