Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit.
Another chapter full of more filler and fluff and wee bit of tension. All good things. Also I added another Fellowship reference to this chapter, couldn't resist.
Read and review bit mostly enjoy.
Lake Town was much different the next day. There was life in its streets and a purpose to the people. A far cry from the first mundane impression Marie had gotten sneaking around the back alleys. There was an excitement in the morning air and Marie stood on the porch of the Town House watching it all.
It was all she could do for the time being, all the dwarves had since gone off as she had been informed by Alfred when she finally emerged that morning, to view their choices of weapons in the armoury. Now that they were the Master's guests, they were allowed to use the front door.
She could have easily kept to the room and found something to pass the time, a book perhaps or the chance to practice with Sting, but she chose to go out and take in Lake Town. Groups of gossiping spinsters huddled together and looked on eagerly at the house. No doubt they were waiting for a glimpse of the dwarves and the King Under the Mountain.
Some of the fisherman stopped by too, Marie even spotted a group of children hiding behind a house.
She should have been happy for these people, at last they had something, some hope for a better life should Thorin keep to his word, but Marie was just left feeling deflated. She rested her chin on the hands as she leaned against the banister.
She had had a horrible dream that night.
A vicious nightmare that had trapped her in shadow, with only a ring of fire her companion that whispered dark words to her. But even that left her behind, alone. That was how she had awoken that morning, alone in the room, the other side of the bed untouched.
She was pleased that Thorin had some decency, but concern that he taken to the floor to rest. He was a king after all and she the intruder of his bed. Surely there was enough trust between them to sleep on the same bed, after so many nights of camping together. Marie closed her eyes and pushed all thoughts of that away.
"Ah, ma'am."
The hobbit jumped. Coming out of the house was the Alfred, dressed in the same black garments from the night before. Marie straightened her back and let it fall to her side, where her sword was.
"I hope breakfast was to your approval." He towered over her, smelling of spice and body odour.
"Yes, lovely." Was all Marie could say without gagging.
"The Master will be pleased to hear that." There was that false toothy grin again. "You weren't at the table when this was mentioned so I should tell you now. The Master is holding a celebration this evening in honour of Lord Thorin. Just a little something before his send off tomorrow morning."
"Marvellous."
"The Master wished for me to ask ... you know I didn't quite catch your name. Margret? Maggie?"
"Marie."
"Charmed Lady Marie."
Marie's fingers scratched at the wood. She didn't know just what to say to the man.
"As I was saying, would you like a new dress brought in for you? I don't know what we would have in your size but I'm sure something could be whipped up ..."
"As kind as the thought is, I must decline."
Alfred gave a little nod. "As you wish. Thought you would like something nice to wear for your king. Or does he have an extrinsic taste? Not that I condemn whatever he enjoys, we all have a guilty pleasures."
'Doesn't this man have any tack about him?' Marie wouldn't have given answer even if she knew what Thorin liked.
She was saved from any more unsavory questions by a slight man with a patch over his right eye that came running up the steps. Alfred saw him and quickly met him at the top, listening to the man whisper something in his ear and nodding along.
Bard had mentioned that the Master had eyes and ears all over the town. Maybe this Alfred was responsible for the flow of information that actually reached his ears.
He waved the one eyed man away and returned to Marie. "Ma'am you will have to pardon me but my associate has informed me of a matter that I need to see to immediately."
"Please do not let me keep you from your work." Marie indicated to the retreating man. 'Yes please leave me be.'
Alfred bowed again and left, walking with hunched shoulders as he got further from her. Marie could still smell his spicy scent lingering. It could have been worse, the Master could have come out to ask her himself. The thought made her shiver and she fixed the collar of her coat to shield her neck.
'A walk ... may be a good idea.'
She decided that instead of risking meeting the Master alone, she would explore the town as best she could. She had Sting so she had some protection.
The town itself was humble if not in dire need of repair work. The woodwork was stain with water damage and time, and lines of ropes and nets hung between the balconies like cobwebs. The most foliage she could spot grew in small window boxes filled with flowers and herbs and one vegetable patch set next to a pig pen. The folk did not bother her, but she did get a few lingering stares as she passed them on the docks. One older gentleman was a little too vocal about it and questioned his friend about her lack of facial hair very loudly.
Marie had stopped to view some of the boats when she had the most peculiar feeling of being watched. Her suspicious were correct when a small ball bounced off her leg. When she looked around to see just who kicked it she spotted a small face staring at her. It was a little girl with skin the colour of honey and large dark eyes, hiding against a wooden beam. Marie's lip quirked and the child came further out of hiding.
"Is this yours?" She picked up the ball and held it out. The child nodded. "Here. I won't bite."
The child shuffled out and took back the ball. She was the same height as Marie.
"What's your name?" Marie asked but the girl said nothing and stuck a finger in her moth to chew. "I'm Marie."
"There you are Gertrude." A boy came running around the corner with a set of red head twin girls on his heels. "Give us back the ... oh." The trio stopped and stared at Marie.
"Her name is Gertrude then?" Marie asked the boy. He resembled the girl a great deal, only his skin was fairer.
"Ugh yes." He came up behind the girl and pulled her close, "She doesn't talk that much. I'm Daven."
"Hello Daven. I'm Marie."
Daven took the ball off his sister, "You're with them dwarves right? Da told us about them."
Marie nodded. The twin girls came forward with the taller of the two taking the lead. "Are you a dwarf lady? Mama said there were no such things as lady dwarves."
"She ain't no dwarf. She hasn't got a beard." Daven pointed out.
"Are you going to slay the dragon?" The shorter twin asked
"Shut up Hollie."
"But she has a sword. She must be a dragon slayer."
"Don't be stupid."
"But it's true."
"Not quite." Marie tried to explain. "I am no dragon slayer. I am just a ... travelling complain to the dwarves."
Daven squeezed Gertrude's shoulder, "Is it true that the King Under the Mountain is among you?"
"Indeed he is."
"What's he like?"
There was something kindred about these children and their innocent curiosity that made Marie long to forget her worried heart and mind, if only for a short while.
"Would you like to hear a story?"
Their answer came with swift nods of the head.
xxxxx
"So there I was. Surround by three monstrous troll."
The children leaned in closer as Marie dropped her voice for dramatic effect. Since starting her tale more and more had joined the small circle they had created. They all stared wide eyed up at the hobbit sitting on a basket as she told her tale while the red head twins braided her hair around her head, crooning how long and pretty it was.
Marie felt like Old Took surround by all the grandchildren and cousins during his grand parties.
"The dwarves bravely fought off the trolls, hacking slicing at their tough hides. But alas we were still captured and stuffed into bags. But," Marie held up a finger as she paused, watching the look of anticipation. "We were saved by the troll's peculiar tastes for flesh."
Gertrude and the other young girls all gave a collective "Ew!"
"What do you mean Miss Marie?" Daven asked.
"Well instead of just eating us, they spent all night arguing amongst themselves about how they were going to cook us."
The children giggled at the thought of trolls arguing over such thing, even Marie thought, looking back on it now, how silly it really was.
"Yes, they couldn't agree on anything, whether to turn us on a spit or sit on us one by one and squash us to jelly. Just then, the sun's first light slowly crept over the top of the trees and we beheld upon a boulder the Grey Wizard, holding aloft this staff. With one mighty swing he stabbed it into the rock ... POOF!"
They gasped loudly.
"The rock split in two and the sunlight came pouring in, turning the trolls to stone in mere seconds. For there is one thing you should always know, is that a wizard is never late for anything."
Two little boys cheered as the rest clapped. Marie smiled broadly at all the happy faces.
"How did you get out of the bags Miss Marie?" One of the twins asked as she tied the last braid in. Her sister gave her a small bunch of yellow flowers to put in the braided crown they had given her.
"Oh there was a lot of wriggling and jumping."
"And a lot of hopping on your part."
The children and Marie looked up at the newest member of their party, Kili. He still looked a little too pale for Marie's taste but he was standing upright with a smile, which was something at least. Daven and his friend Myca began whispering excitedly at the sight of one of the dwarves.
"You left out the best part Marie. How you confused the trolls by telling them we had parasites." Kili said.
"And then you," Marie pointed at him, "Loudly claimed you had the biggest of them all."
The children laughed heartily at him while Marie had a triumphant grin on her face. He nodded his head and let it all roll off his back, "Yes, I did." His face slowly turned quite serious. "I'm sorry to interrupt the story but ... Thorin needs to speak with you Marie."
The hobbit's heartbeat doubled. "Did he say what for?"
"Um, no just that he needed to speak with you."
Something was off with how Kili spoke.
"Very well." Marie hopped off the basket, "I'm sorry young ones but I will have to finish the story another time."
The children groaned and slowly dispersed. Daven took Gertrude's hand, "Promise you'll finish it."
"One day my lad."
Gertrude mumbled a thank you with a finger in her mouth. The twin girls patted Marie's new crown braid and accepted her thanks before heading off with the others.
"So, where is he?" Marie asked Kili. The young dwarf bit his lip, "Ugh... this way." He pointed down one of the docks and started moving before Marie could ask anything else.
The dock was empty save for an old man sitting by in some corner mending baskets. There was a slight limp in Kili's walk and Marie wondered if he should be up and about like this.
"Kili ..."
"Your hair looks nice like that."
"Kili."
"Not to say it wasn't nice before, it was pretty .. I mean free ... I mean"
"Kili." Marie said firmly, causing the dwarf to stop in his tracks, "Thorin didn't ask to speak to me did he?"
Kili shuffled awkwardly, "No." He admitted, "I wanted to ... ask you something."
Marie walked a little closer to him, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. It's ..." He wet his lips and kept looking elsewhere but her face. "It's an odd thing to ask but ... just how do you ... well what I want is ... just how do you see me?"
"How do I see you?"
"More specifically feel ... about me I mean."
Marie's mouth hung open a little. 'Oh boy,' She should have seen this coming. She was sometimes absentminded about things but she wasn't completely oblivious. She had an inkling, but hadn't quite anticipated this, "You wish to know about my feelings for you." Marie clarified. Kili's face went pink. "I must warn you that I can give nothing but the truth."
"Any answer would do. I just ... would like to know."
"Kili." She started gently, "I do care about you," His eyes light up in a brief second of hope, "but what you are asking of me is something that I can not give you."
He did not seem hurt by her answer, if anything his shoulders drop was relief at knowing it. But that still did not stop the flash of disappointment in his eyes.
"So then, you don't ... love me."
Marie placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a light squeeze."There is a difference between loving someone and being in love. I do love you dearly as my friend, but I am afraid my affections do not go beyond that."
"How do you know when you're in love?" Kili asked in a small voice. Marie found herself stumped.
"Good question," Her hand fell back to her side, "It affects every one of us differently."
"But for you Marie, what does feel like?"
Marie fell silent and looked out at the half frozen water.
"Marie?"
She took a deep cold breath and said, "Once, long ago I was in love. A childish, innocent love it was. And when I lost it I felt ... empty. But, growing old I realize there are other things that come with the warm joyous emotions. Confusion, doubt, fear, curiosity. I guess love is not a simple thing. "Marie couldn't help but smile a bittersweet smile, "Sometimes we fall against our wills."
"So, expect anything when it comes to love." Kili said.
"Exactly." Marie nodded. "You will find love one day Kili, it will happen. Besides I'm a little too old for you don't you think?"
Kili scrunched up his face, "I'm older than you."
They both had a little chuckle at the fact. "Still," Marie patted his face, "I am old by my standards, go find some young strapping dwarf lass with beads in her beard and dimples on her cheeks."
Kili smiled, but his eyes danced about his feet nervously. "I hope you will not think less of me Marie." He ducked his head and pressed a light kiss on her cheek.
"Kili."
All of a sudden it got even colder.
Marie looked around and saw Thorin standing across the way watching the pair of them, though she was certain it was more glaring than anything.
It would have saved a lot of pain for all of them if she snuck off there and then to avoid Thorin, but Marie thought about it again and how immature of her it would be. No she would face the problem head on, and maybe resolve it. Kili passed Thorin, stopping to whisper something quickly but was silenced by his uncle's piercing eyes. Kili retreated and Thorin turned that gaze onto Marie.
"I would say good morning, but I'm a few hours too late I think." She started off with a lighter attitude, hoping to break the tension.
"Indeed." His tone seemed passive enough, but there was fire brewing in his eyes. Just what was he angry at now? Marie arms folded across her chest once more, an act of self defense she had hoped not to do around her companions anymore. He came closer to her until they stood toe to toe. "You shouldn't be wandering around alone."
"I'm not completely defenseless," She said, referring to Sting, "And as you know I'm quite talented as vanishing into thin air."
"You know what I mean." He bent his head low. Marie wanted to pull away from the tingling his warm breath left against the shell of her ear, but didn't. "That man with the basket across the water has been watching you for the past few minutes." Marie's eyes flickered across to the man in question. She had not even noticed he was there. "We may be the Master's guests, but his eyes are still on us."
"So you don't trust him either." Marie muttered, a little more vicious than intended.
Thorin pulled himself upright, "Walk with me."
Marie was about to question why she should until she remembered they had a charade to play out.
So they walked, side by side in silence. At first Marie thought he was taking her back to the Town House where they would be gawked at even further, but no. He took them out towards the edge of the town where there were less curious Lake men. There air between them was still soured from last night's debacle though not a potent as Marie had dreaded it would be. She spoke first.
"What are our next movements?"
Thorin stopped them over the wooden arch bridge they were crossing. "We leave at first light. Durin's Day falls tomorrow and we still need to find the hidden door."
"I see." Marie raised her eyebrows. "I hear that the Master is throwing you a party."
Thorin lent his hands against the wooden rail of the bridge and looked out at nothing in particular. He didn't respond to her.
"Did the others do well in their search of weapons?"
Marie got a grunt out the dwarf.
'Well this is going swimmingly.' Marie thought bitterly. If he wanted her to walk with him, he could at least try to engage her in a conversation. She rested her back on the rail and waited patiently, placing a good amount of room between them. 'Keep your head Marie. No use in harping on about it again. Gives you terrible headaches.'
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Thorin's hand delve into the fold of his coat. "I almost forgot." He said.
"Mmm?"
Thorin held out his hand to her.
"What ..." Marie looked at what was in his open hand and was surprised. It was her father's button. "How did you ...?
"Found it on the river bank." Thorin said.
Marie hand flew to her pocket. "I didn't even know I had lost it."
"Thought it best to return it, seeing as how it is both your father's and your good luck charm."
Marie forgot she was suppose to be angry with him and was genuinely touched that he would remember the sentimental value of something so small. She reached out to take it back but stopped, her hand hovered over his.
It was a silly idea, but still ...
She closed his fingers around the button. "Perhaps you could profit from some luck."
Thorin appeared confused by her decision. "You would really give me something of such value to you."
"Well if I am to play the part of your lover, wouldn't it appear normal for me to give you a token or sorts?"
She knew she hit a nerve when she felt his fist became firm as stone beneath her fingers. A low blow on her part. Thorin frowned and stuffed the button back into his coat. "Perhaps you wouldn't mind if Kili was your partner in this."
"It doesn't matter to me who, I would still be just as upset that I wasn't even asked to lie about ... this." Marie waved a finger back and forth between them.
"From what I see you don't mind his affections."
Marie just stared at him in disbelief. The way he spoke denoted something of being scorned. But by what ... or whom? Marie put two and two together.
"I think you made up your own conclusion about what you've seen without knowing all the facts." Marie kept her voice in check, lest she would provoke him any more than she had.
Thorin raised his head to the sky and let out a long winded sigh, his breath becoming fog as it hit the cold air. "Then perhaps ... my dear Marie," His voice, low and rich with tone, made Marie's knees weak and threaten to buckle. "You could tell me what I saw." He only made it worse by looking at her with those intense eyes of his.
'Come on Marie. Be reasonable about this and breathe.'
"What you saw," Marie said slowly as she got her breath back, "Was your nephew asking me about a delicate issue he felt needed to be addressed. I gave him my answer and he handled it well." If her eyes , Thorin appeared relieved. "It is good to talk through things. Some would say it's healthy." Marie went on to say.
The lines etched around his eyes grew taunt, indicating that he understood her meaning. He slid his hand across the rail until his forearms bore his weight. "You cause to disagree with my decisions and actions and I am sorry if my words last night seemed harsh to you."
Marie nose twitched habitually, "I spoke harshly as well Thorin and nor do I wish to let my anger get the better of me. To me it's just ... well." Marie puffed out her lips and sighed. "Everything just seems so ... difficult here in the East." She said, shaking her head.
"It may be hard for you accept, but understand that this path is a lesser of two evils."
"Evils? Who would ... oh." Marie caught on to what he meant. "The Elven King."
The muscles in Thorin's arm tensed, "The elves would do anything in the power to prevent my people from regaining our glory." He seethed.
Marie edged herself a little closer and propped her hands on the rail next to his. "You have more in common than you'd care to think."
"Who."
"Elves and Dwarves." Thorin looked at her like she had slapped him. "Same with the mortal men. You all have shared qualities."
Thorin rolled his eyes. "I fail to see your meaning."
"We'll for one thing you all have a lot of pride. You all wish better for your people. None of you want to admit fault."
"And what do you mean by that?"
Marie took a moment just to look at him crestfallen.
'How is it he can not see?'
"From what I have seen as an outsider, no one seems willing bare any of the fault of the loss of the mountain."
He said nothing to the hobbit's logic, twisting the ring on his left hand around his finger.
'Is he fidgeting?'
"It does not mean any one of you are without good shared qualities."
Still he said nothing. Marie sighed and tried to think of a better way of putting it. She plucked a small blossom from her braid and held it between her fingers. "This flower. What do you call it?"
Thorin spared it a glance, "Sun Pebble. It comes from the Khuzdul name Urzudul Abanul. It's only a wild flower that grows in small patches, nothing more."
Marie twirled the yellow bud. "In the Shire we call it Gardener's Gold." She remembered it fondly, her father explaining it when she was but a babe. "We use it to determine if the soil is fertile. No hobbit worth their salt would be without a patch of this in their garden. It's also used in a bride's bouquet to symbolise a good marriage and the promise of healthy children."
Thorin listened to what she had to say, but still did not see to what end it lead to, "So it is called a different name, what of it?" Thorin's head tilted to the side as he stared down at her over his shoulder.
Marie held the flower up closer to him."Is in not grown from the same earth, watered and nurtured by the same rain and sun as your Sun Pebble?"Marie asked. He nodded his head. "Then it is the same flower, regardless of name and culture."
Thorin shifted himself to stand front on to her. He took the yellow blossom from her and set in on his palm. It looked so much smaller resting in his hand. "You have quite the affinity for plants Miss Baggins." He said, flexing his fingers so that he held the flower between his thumb and index.
"We Hobbits are of the earth. We care and respect for in and in return we have all that we need." The dwarf's eyes looked up from the flower to gaze into hers. They were soft, gentle, not burning with the fire Marie had seen earlier. He tucked the flower back into her hair with all the care in the world.
"Are we now to call a truce?" He asked, his fingers skimming the line of her jaw. Marie secretly delighted in the feeling.
"A truce ... for now. But do not think I am finished being cross with you." She said with a crooked grin.
A chuckle emanated from his chest and Marie could feel the vibrations of it. "I have heard the same threat time and time again from my sister and no longer cower before it." Thorin pushed her loose hair over her shoulder.
"Tell me about her? Your sister."
Then Thorin smiled. It wasn't forced, patronizing or showing amusement at her request. It was pure and genuine. Marie had only seen him smile like that once before and she prayed that she would perhaps she would see it more often.
"As my Lady commands." He teased, playing his part.
For something that was supposed to be a facade, it felt awfully real. 'It's not Marie. It's all for show.' She had to remind herself that fact.
But surely an old hobbit could indulge herself?