I own nothing but Lirielle and her family.
Lirielle placed a tanker of ale in front of Thorin along with a bowl of stew. Thorin regarded Liri for a moment. There was grace in the way she moved. His eyes followed her bottom as Liri moved over to Balin. He shook his head as Liri sat down near Balin.
"What news from meeting at Ered Luin? Did they all come?" Balin asked.
"Aye, Envoys from all seven kingdoms," Thorin said.
"All of them," Balin said.
"And what did Dwarves of the Iron Hills say? Is Dain with us?" Dwalin asked.
Thorin paused eating taking a deep breath.
"They will not come," Thorin stated.
The rest of the dwarves all started to mutter. Lirielle looked over to Gandalf. Her hand was near her mouth shaking her head. Dwalin closed his eyes. All the dwarves looked disheartened.
"They say this quest is ours and ours alone," Thorin said
Thorin took a drink of ale. Bilbo's voice came in from behind Gandalf.
"You're going on a quest?" Bilbo asked.
"Bilbo, my dear fellow, let us have a little more light." Gandalf started.
Gandalf produced a map. Dwalin moved the bread away. Gandalf placed the map in front of Thorin. Lirielle looked down at the map. It was quite a distant but doable, in her mind. She read the places on the map. It would take her close to her long-since lost home she quietly wondered if Gandalf knew that or not.
"Far to east over, ranges and rivers beyond woodlands and wastelands lies a single, solitary peak." Gandalf finished.
"The lonely mountain" Bilbo said looking at the map after bringing a candle over.
"Aye, Oin has read the portents and portents say is time," Gloin stated.
"Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain as it was foretold. When the bird of yore return to Erebor the reign of the beast will end." Oin said
"Uh what beast," Bilbo asked.
"That would be a reference to Smaug the terrible. Chiefest and greatest calamity of our age. Airborne fire-breather. Teeth like razors, claws like meat hooks. Extremely fond of precious metals." Bofur said.
"Yes, I know what a dragon is" Bilbo stated.
"I'm not afraid. I'm up for it. I'll give him a taste of dwarfish iron right up his jacksie" Ori said standing up.
"Good lad, Ori. Sit down" Nori said.
Lirielle shook her head, looking over to Gandalf. This was not some easy quest this was a suicide mission. Which some way worked for her. If it gave her a chance to kill Smaug she did not care about the cost.
"The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us. But we number just 13 and not 13 of the best nor the brightest" Balin said.
Lirielle looked over to Balin at least one of them had sense. Shouts from the Nori and Oin came next.
"We may be few in numbers but we are fighters, all of us to the last dwarf" Fili shouted
"And you forget we have a wizard in the company. Gandalf would have killed hundreds of dragons in his time." Kili stated
Lirielle bites her bottom lip trying not to laugh as the shouts quickly get out of hand. Bilbo attempted to settle the crowd down but that did not work. Until Thorin stood up and yelled in Khuzdul.
"If we have read these signs, do you not think others will have read them too? Rumors have begun to spread. The dragon Smaug has not been seen for 60 years. Eyes look east to the mountain, assessing, wondering, and weighing the risk. Perhaps the vast wealth of our people now lies unprotected. Do we sit back while others claim what is rightfully ours? Or do seize this chance to take back Erebor." Thorin stated.
It was a passionate speech. Lirielle was very moved by it; it was spoken like a true king. Her eyes met Gandalf's. He inclined his head to her. It only made her want him more, but she knew she would not act on the said desire.
"You forget; the front gate is sealed. There is no way into the mountain" Balin said.
"That my dear Balin is not entirely true" Gandalf started.
Gandalf produced a key. Thorin's eyes lock on the key. Along with the rest of the party. Liri even sat up straight.
"How did you come by this" Thorin questioned.
"It was given to me by your father; by Thrain for safekeeping. It is yours now," Gandalf said handing Thorin the key.
"Of there a key there must be a door," Fili yelled excitedly.
"These runes speak of a hidden passage to the lower halls" Gandalf stated as he point to runes on the map.
"There's another way in," Kili said excitedly.
"Well, if we can find it" Gandalf started.
"But aren't Dwarf doors invisible when they are closed?" Lirielle questioned.
Her eyes traveled around the rest of the company. Gandalf sighed. His eyes met Lirielle's. Thorin looked at Liri in shock that he knew that. Thorin looked over at her for the first time since she placed the food in front of him. Liri had her head tilted as she looked at the map. He could not understand why Gandalf wanted Liri on this quest.
"The answer lies hidden somewhere in this map. And I do not have the skills to find it. But there others in Middle-Earth who can" Gandalf stated.
Gandalf paused for a moment looking at Bilbo.
"The task I gave in mind will require a great deal of stealth and no small amount of courage; but if we are careful and clever. I believe that it can be done."
"That's why we need a burglar," Ori said
"Hmm; and good one too; an expert. I'd imagine," Bilbo commented.
"And are you?" Gloin asked.
"Am I what," Bilbo asked?
"He said he's an expert hey," Oin said.
"No no. No, no. I'm not a burglar. I've never stolen a thing in my life" Bilbo stated.
"Well, I'm afraid I have to agree with Mr. Baggins. He is hardly burglar material," Balin stated.
"Nope," Bilbo said
"Aye, the wild is no place for gentle folk who neither fight nor fend for themselves," Dwalin said.
"He's just fine," Kili said.
The arguments continued. Gandalf stood up. The room became darker. The only two people that did not get involved were Thorin and Liri. Liri was looking at the map with a heavy sigh. Thorin stared at Liri. He was trying to figure Liri out. Liri seemed to be more than they seemed.
"Enough! If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar then a burglar he is. Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet. In fact, they can pass unseen by most if they choose. And while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of dwarf the scent of the hobbit is all but unknown to him, which gives us the advantage," Gandalf yelled.
Gandalf turned and looked at Thorin speaking the next part directly to him.
"You asked me to find the 14th and 15th members of this company and I have. Mr. Baggins and Mr. Lossëhelin," Gandalf stated.
"Yes, Master Lossëhelin what use to us is he?" Thorin asked.
"He can…" Gandalf started.
"I can withstand dragon fire. And I'm light on my feet as well. I have been fighting and fending for myself for most of my life." Liri cut Gandalf off looking directly at Thorin and Dwalin in a changeling way.
Balin and the rest of the dwarves looked at Lirielle in shock. A cheer sounded from them. Lirielle smiled briefly as one of them punched her in the shoulder. Balin looked at Liri in a questioning way they way she spoke just then had a regal edge to it. It left no room for arguments. Thorin and Dwalin exchanged looks before Thorin returned his gaze to Gandalf.
"There's a lot more to both of them than appearances suggest. He got a great deal more to offer than any of you know, including himself. You must trust me on this." Gandalf said the last part was directed at Thorin.
"Very well, we will do it your way. Give them the contract," Thorin said finally.
Balin hands one Lirielle and reaches to give on to Bilbo. She starts to read it all the while looking at Bilbo's face. She looked sideways at Thorin as Bilbo did not want to take the contract.
"We are off, wherein," Bifur said.
"It just the usual, a summary of out-of-pocket expenses the time required, remuneration funeral arrangements so forth," Balin said.
Thorin takes the contact and pushes it into Bilbo's hands. Liri nearly laughs as she looked at Gandalf. She hid her smile behind the contract.
"Funeral arrangements," Bilbo squeaked.
Thorin stood leaning into Gandalf so no one but Gandalf could hear or so he thought. Lirielle looked over the contact. Most of them thought Liri was occupied by the contact.
"I can't guarantee their safety" Thorin whispered.
"Understood," Gandalf said.
"Nor will I be responsible for their fate," Thorin growled.
"Agreed."
Bilbo looked like he was going to faint. He was to the part of the contract that details wounds and injuries that could happen. Lirielle read each one only reaction she showed was her eyebrows rose. She had long since mastered doing two things at once. She was always aware of what was going on around her.
"You alright laddie?" Balin asked.
"I feel a faint," Bilbo said.
"Think furnace with wings," Bifur said.
"Air… I need air," Bilbo said.
"Flash of light searing pain then your nothing but a pile of ash," Bifur continued.
"Nope," Bilbo said as he fainted, falling to the ground.
Lirielle sighed placing the contact in her pocket before rising from her seat first. They all raise and looked at Bilbo on the ground. She pushed her way over to him. She met the eyes of Gandalf. While Thorin felt he was not responsible for Bilbo's fate but Lirielle felt she was.
"Oh, very helpful Bifur" Gandalf joked.
"I'll take care of him," Lirielle said leaving no room for arguments.
Lirielle knelt by Bilbo and picked him up taking him to an armchair by a fireplace in another room away from them. She placed her hand on his forehead and muttered in the Faye and elvish language. Let her elf-like healing ability wake him up faster. As she did so her coloring seem to fade slightly. Gandalf followed her into the room. Lirielle turned and looked at him. He looked at her in shock that she healed him like that.
"He will be fine," Lirielle said as Bilbo woke up.
Lirielle rose and left the room with a slight sway in her steps. Gandalf bowed slightly to her as she left. He realized that she weaken herself to do that.
A little while later, all the dwarves were by the fireplace. Gandalf was outside of the room smoking his pipe. Lirielle had the contact in her hands as she made her way toward Thorin and Balin to give them the contract. She was in the doorway when dwarves started to hum.
"Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep, and caverns old
We must away,' ere break of day
To find our long-forgotten gold
The pines were roaring on the height
The winds were moaning in the night
The fire was red, it flaming spread
The trees like torches blazed with light" Thorin started to sing.
As the song continued the other dwarves joined in. Bilbo was still in the other room by the fire. Gandalf was smoking his pipe leaning against the doorway. Lirielle froze in the doorway. Her mind went back to the moment that changed her life forever. Bring her suppressed memories to the forefront of her mind.
Lirielle was twenty-one years old; she was now the youngest queen of the Fayes. The celebration of her coronation was an event that no one dared missed. She stood on the balcony watching them dance and laugh. As loud music filled the air. There was fayes magic all around. Water fayes made animals shaped water dance out of the fountains making children laugh and squeal in delight. Air fayes magic had rainbow-colored clouds flutter through the air in all shapes. The banners hung all over the courtyard. The courtyard was a riot of bright colors. They all cheered when they spotted her standing on the balcony. A beautiful diamond incrusted crown was on her head. The crown had a rainbow of stone like the heart of fire. One of each element stone was held on each point of the crown. Now, the center stone was a smaller version of the heart of fire representing her being a fire faye. The stones of the crown could be changed so the center stone would always be the ruler's affiliation. The crown was now paramount on her intricate braided updo taming her fire-like curls. She was dressed in a cerulean blue gown with a square neckline that had bell sleeves; and hugged the curves of her body before flaring out at her hips. The gown had many gems sewn onto it. The heart of fire stood proudly out in the valley of Lirielle's breasts. Aeronniell was dancing with Baramaethor. Aeronniell had long light blonde hair that was twisted back in an elvish hairstyle. She wore a sky-blue gown with clouds sewn onto the neckline of the gown in diamonds. Baramaethor dark hair was pulled back. He wore dark brown pants and a sky-blue tunic to match his wife. Their twins, Caladwen and Calanon were playing with their great-grandmother Laisidhiel and great-grandfather Gondien. Caladwen had inherited her mother's white-blonde hair and was dressed in a bright pink gown like her mother's gown. Calanon looked like a younger copy of his father. He dressed like his father only he had a bright orange tunic. Laisidhiel was dressed in a pale yellow gown with her long honey-colored hair braided down her back. The gown had rays of sunlight sewn into in topaz. Gondien's once brown hair was slowly turning white. He was dressed in a green tunic with emeralds sewn into the neckline. It also had brown mountains in darker topaz around the bottom hem of the tunic. They were Lirielle and Aeronniell and Amariel's mother's parents. Lirielle's mother, Tegaladwen, was not far from them she wore a sad smile; she was dressed in a black gown with onyx sewn into it. Her long rust-colored hair hung down her back. The only color in her gown was opal on the simple crown on her head.
Lirielle felt a hand on her back. She turned to look at who was touching her. She wore a sad smile when she noticed it was her grandmother Merilwen her father's mother. Merilwen was dressed in a bright blue gown. Her dark nearly black hair with more grey streaks than black was braided intricately down her back. She had a crown with the heart of waters in the center. It showed the deepest blue to light blue in one gem.
"He would want to be happy Lirielle," Merilwen said softly yet knowingly.
"I know grandmother. But how can I be when orcs are nearly at our door and dragon from north of us threaten us daily and my father was killed less than a week ago." Lirielle cried with the weight of the world on her shoulders.
Merilwen sighed. Lirielle looked down with all pressure put on her young shoulders. Aeronniell would be queen now if not for marrying elf. She abdicated to be able to live with her husband. Lirielle was a child with the mantle of a kingdom on her shoulders. Faye normally lived around to age of two or three hundred. Merilwen lifted her granddaughter's chin and nodded toward the guards to leave them.
"You should be down there with Aeronniell and Amariel. What do you think of Tirithon?" Merilwen asked.
Lirielle looked over to where Amariel was laughing as she drank her glass of ale. Amariel with honey-colored hair was in an intricately twisted half up and half down hairstyle. She was dressed in a bright pink gown with topaz and pink sapphires sewed onto the gown. She had no crown on her head yet because she was not married yet. Aeronniell chose not to because she lives as a guard wife in Imladris. Tirithon was nearby her side laughing as well. His arm was firmly around her middle. He had his sword hanging from his left hip. Tirithon had dark brown hair and wore a golden tunic with dark grey pants. Lirielle smiled over at her grandmother. He was a nobody a servant of the royal family. Alagos, her older male cousin, was starting a drinking contest with anyone that would enter it. He even tried to get Tirithon. Alagos had dark black hair and wore a bright red top and black pants.
"I think he is her fate, her fated one," Lirielle replied watching the pair.
"I agree. You will be one wonderful queen. Liri, my dear, never forget that. Who better to lead us in this age than first fire Faye in nearly two ages," Merilwen started kissing her granddaughter's forehead.
Lirielle smiled and hugged her grandmother to her side. Right before a horrible cry echoed throughout the valley. The shadowy shape of Smaug filled her vision.
"Liri" Gandalf said concerned as he noticed tears forming in her eyes.
It was enough to wake her from her memories. Lirielle had her contract in her trembling hand. She quickly dried her tears before signing the contract. All the while she tried to keep her emotions in check. She pushed them back into the back of her mind. She walked into the room of dwarves. She handed the contract to Balin. Balin looked over to Thorin. He eyed Lirielle nodding his head.
"Welcome to the company of Thorin Oakenshield." Kili and Fili said lifting her off the ground.
"Put me down" Liri growled.
Fili and Kili put her down looking at her oddly. That was not how Liri acted earlier. Thorin tilted his head at his nephews. Balin gave her a knowing look as Liri exited the room. She met Gandalf's eyes as she exited. He nodded his head.
Lirielle walked outside taking a deep breath of the night air. She looked toward her home. So many emotions that she long since buried was close to the surface. Not long after she stood outside taking a deep breath of the night air. She heard footfalls approaching her. She glanced over her shoulder to see Balin had come outside. He looked at Lirielle who let her tears freely fall. She looked up to the night sky.
"Why are you doing this for us? You owe us nothing." Balin asked.
Balin came to stand near her. Lirielle looked once more at him before she decides he deserved to know the truth. They both looked up at the night sky as Lirielle prepared herself to bear a part of her soul to him.
"I know… I know how it feels to have your home taking from you…I have seen dragon fire. I felt it. I watched it destroy, taking everything from me. My family… all of them dead. Smaug took them from me," Lirielle revealed. It was hard to her say. Balin could feel the raw emotions coursing through her. There was a guilty look in Liri's pale green eyes. She looked down shaking her head before she continued. "I should be dead; the only reason I'm not dead is because I'm fire faye. I wish to see him destroyed more than anything, more than my life. So, if killing him gives you all back your home so be it," Lirielle said turning and looking at him tears tracks coursed down her face as well as a cold determination in her eyes.
"Thorin will not trust easily but he agreed to let you come," Balin explained
"I know. I fear I will be under a close watch between Dwalin and Thorin." Liri said knowingly.
"You'll have to prove him wrong laddie" Balin stated.
"Yes, I will," Liri said determinedly.
Lirielle was up before most of the dwarves. She stood outside eating half of an apple as she fed the other half to one of the ponies. The ponies all came closer to her buying for her attention. She smiled and touched each other noses letting them nuzzle into her. A raven flew overhead and landed on her shoulder. She smiled at the bird and stroked his feathers. He affectionately peaked at her fingers. Thorin walked outside and paused at the sight before him. Balin followed behind him right before most of the dwarves did so. She let the raven fly away watching the raven fly to the east, turning to look at the rest of the group with a ghost of a smile on her face. Most of the dwarves were in awe of Liri; Kili and Fili push their way over to him.
"How did you do that?" They asked in unison.
"Fayes have a strong connection to animals. It's one of the many things that define who we are." Liri explained with a smile.
"We don't have time for this" Thorin growled as he pulled one of the ponies' reigns.
Thorin pulled the animal away from Liri causing one of the other ponies to bump into her and causing her to fall landing on her left hip and shoulder. The animal tried to look over his shoulder at her. She glared at his back before pushing herself and started to brush the dirt off herself. The rest of the company quickly got on their ponies and get ready to head out. Gandalf walked over and held the reigns as she glared and Thorin's back.
"Remind me why I'm doing this again, Gandalf" Lirielle asked in a huff.
Gandalf did not answer her but gave her a smile. She winced as she swung her leg over her pony back. She patted his neck but sucked in air when the pony started to move, and her bag brushed her hip.
"You're alright laddie?" Balin asked.
"I'm fine" Liri answered.
They started to move out. About twenty minutes into their quest there were bets on if Bilbo would or wouldn't show up. Thorin and Lirielle were the only two who did not place a bet. It felt good to be on the move again. She was riding by Kili and Fili.
"I said it didn't I say it, coming here was waste of time," Dori said.
Lirielle rolled her eyes. If she was to place a bet, she would bet Bilbo would come. Bifur rode next to her for a moment.
"Do you want in it?" Bifur asked her.
"Bifur sure. He will come" Lirielle stated as she reached in her pack and threw him the deposit.
"How are you so sure sir?" Fili asked.
"How are you?" Liri argued back.
"I agree with Liri," Kili said.
"That's true enough" Gloin stated.
"Ridiculous notion. Use a hobbit? A Halfling?" Dori said.
Suddenly a cry echoed through the forest. Lirielle was first to stop and turn being she had better hearing than the dwarves. A smile graced her face, but she quickly hid it looking back to Thorin.
"Wait!" Bilbo yelled.
"Whoa, whoa," Thorin said bringing his pony to stop.
Everyone stopped Thorin turned and looked somewhat shocked but quickly hid it. Bilbo ran up to where Balin was riding.
"I signed it. Here" Bilbo said handing the contract to Balin.
Balin took the contract and took out an eyeglass examining the signature.
"Everything appears to be in order. Welcome, Master Baggins to the company of Thorin Oakenshield." Balin said,
Thorin gave the signal to move out. He yelled over his shoulder which caused Lirielle to laugh for a moment. She could sense his unease around the ponies.
"Give him a pony," Thorin yelled.
One of the dwarves threw Kili and Liri a sack of coins. They smiled at each other before putting them into their packs. Bilbo looked shocked as Gandalf was also thrown a sack of coins.
Later they stop for the night. Lirielle walked over to Thorin to ask him what he needed her to do. She was trying to active part of the company. He quickly pushed Liri out of his way heading toward the cave. That caused Lirielle to trip over a rock rolling her left ankle but keeping her balance not before letting out a sigh of pain and frustration.
"You're so great with animals tend to them" Thorin yelled over his shoulder indicating the ponies.
Lirielle gave him a fake smile and turned to start to care for the ponies. Bilbo looked at her as she petted each one nose and mane. Bilbo came over to Liri to help him. It had been a long day.
"So Bilbo how was your first day on your first adventure?" Lirielle said with laughter in her voice.
"Good, I guess. You bet I would come how did you know I would come."
"Curiosity it was in your eyes last night."
Lirielle started to brush one of the ponies. She looked over at him with a smile. Bilbo walks over with an apple in his hand and fed one of the ponies.
"So, what's your story?" Bilbo asked curiously.
"It's not a happy story Bilbo… But if you want to hear it" Lirielle stated.
Bilbo nodded his head. She let out a sigh. She tried to figure out what would be a good place to start. She finally decided to turn to look at him as she cared for another of the ponies. She noticed a few of the dwarves were close to them but she did not care.
"I was twenty-one my father, Tithaefarason, and I was out on outskirt of the kingdom. He was talking about his plans for my future. When we were accosted by a pack of five orcs. The thing is about faye's we live about along as dwarves, about two to three hundred years. I was truly a child then. I knew very little about weapons or how to properly use them. He told me to hide. I did as I was told. I watched as they beheaded my father. Murdering him in front of me. I screamed when that happened which led them to me. I had never shown what my affiliation with any of the elements. Something that most fayes of my age then do. My twin sister had shown her four years before. The elements are air, water, earth, dark, light, and fire. Now, some of those elements are rare or rather rarer than others. Before me, there not been fire faye in two ages." Liri paused. Bilbo nodded understandingly. She moved on to the next pony Bilbo following her. "Suddenly, a bright burning force course threw my veins out of my hands. I lost it killing them all. I did not know to control it. The fire danced around me as I held my father's body, all while the flames getting stronger. I stayed like that until guards came. They pulled me away from the center of a raging forest fire. They quickly ordered every water fayes to put out the fire. I cried for a week. My world changed that day. It moved on preparations were being made for me. Then a week later Smaug attacked. I don't remember most of the attack. Whether it's repression or something that knocked me out I do not know. All I remember waking up nude as the day I was born with my family charred bodies spread out around me … every faye dead but me. I had no choice but to learn to fend for and defend myself. It's not much of a story but it's mine," Lirielle said as she tended to the last pony.
Thorin, Balin, and Dwalin looked over to the pair. They heard most of Liri's story. They suddenly held more respect for Liri. Having to fend for yourself when you were a child was something no one should have to do. Balin thought back to the time before Smaug attacked he remember the name of Faye King it was Tithaefarason and his dealing with Thror. Tithaefarason was not a common name. So that would make Liri heir to the throne of Fayes if he was right. Lirielle walked over to Bombur to get some supper for the night. She sat down near the fire and ate in silence. Her eyes were ever watchful Thorin noticed even when Liri was not assigned to guard duty. They met each other eyes over Liri's bowl of stew. She looked over to Balin who had a wide-eyed look on his face when recognized the eyes staring back at him as those of Tithaefarason Lossëhelin the Faye King.
Liri handed the bowl back to Bombur. She moved over to Bilbo. Bilbo looked up at her. She motioned for him to come with her. Gandalf watched the pair. They moved over to a clearing near the camp. She pulled out a dagger from her boot. It was closer to a sword for Bilbo handing it to him. He took it looking at her worried.
"On this quest, you need to know how to defend yourself," Liri explained.
"I don't know" Bilbo started.
"I know that is why I going to teach you," Liri stated.
Gandalf smiled at her watching her take the hobbit only her wing. It went on for about an hour. Thorin and Dwalin came over to watch the pair hearing clanging of metal. Thorin shook his head at the sight. Dwalin watched as Liri instructed Bilbo on how to hold a sword and how to move. His eyes traveled to Thorin. He noted that Thorin was looking at Liri more than Bilbo. Liri had earned a little bit of respect from Dwalin. Liri seem to realize they were only as strong as their weakest member.
"Move your feet" Liri explained. Bilbo stumbled losing his footing. The dagger clangs to the forest floor. Thorin snorted causing her to glare at him with fire in her green eyes. She bent down and picked up the dagger putting it back in her boot. She walked over to Bilbo helping him up. "That's enough for the night," Liri stated.
"I will never be good at this," Bilbo said forlornly.
"You did well for never holding a sword," Liri said tapping him on the back and leading him back to camp.
Later, night had fallen most of the dwarves were asleep. Thorin, Fili, Kili, Balin Gandalf, and Liri were the only ones awake. Bilbo was trying to sleep but was failing miserably. Liri sat near Gandalf where Bilbo was trying to sleep. Thorin sat near the stone wall of the cave. Bilbo got up and walked over to the ponies feeding one of them an apple. Liri leaned on her arm trying to get some rest for the night when a screech reaches her ears instantly she was fully awake. She tensed as her eyes searched the tree line.
"What was that?" Bilbo asked worried waking up.
"Orcs" Kili answered
Kili sat near his brother in a little outcropping of the cave. Bilbo moves quickly near the rest of the company. Liri eyed the pair for a long moment with a hard look as she sat up. She looked over at Bilbo.
"Orcs," Bilbo said even more worried.
"Throat-cutters there'll be dozens of them out there. The lone lands are crawling with them" Fili started, feeding Bilbo fear.
"They strike in wee small hours when everyone is asleep. Quick and quiet no screams just lot of blood" Kili finished near laughing.
Lirielle looked over to Gandalf with an annoyed look. Thorin rose from his spot glaring at his nephews.
"You think that's funny? You think a night raid by orcs is a joke" Thorin growled glaring at his nephews.
"We didn't mean anything by it," Kili defended.
"No, you didn't. You know nothing of the world," Thorin growled walking over to the ponies.
Fili and Kili looked disheartened. Balin walked over to them. Lirielle eyes laid locked on Thorin's back. Her body and her heart wanted him, but her mind was not in-game because of his rude and demining ways. He carried himself like a true king. Gandalf looked over to Lirielle as if reading her thoughts. They were truly matched; a queen met a king. He had seen the looks he have give Liri when he thought no one was looking.
"Don't mind him, Laddie" Balin stated
Balin moved closer to Fili and Kili then he leaned his arm against the cave. Fili and Balin looked over to Thorin who had his hand behind his back.
"Thorin has more cause than most to hate orcs. After the dragon took the lonely mountain…King Thror tried to reclaim the ancient dwarf kingdom of Moria. But our enemy had got there first. Moria had been taken by legions of orcs, led by the most vile of all of their race: Azog the Defiler. The giant Gundabad orc had sworn to wipe out the line Durin. He began by beheading the king. Thrain, Thorin's father was driving mad by grief. He went missing. Taken prisoner or kill we do not know. We were leaderless. Defeat and death were upon us. That is when I saw him. A young dwarf prince facing down the pale orc. He stood alone against this terrible foe. His armor rent wielding nothing but an oaken branch as a shield. Azog the defiler learned that day line of Durin would not be so easily broken. Our forces rallied and drove the orcs back. And our enemy had been defeated. But there was no feast nor songs that night for our dead were beyond the count of grief. We few had survived. And thought to myself there is one who I could follow. There is one I could call King." Balin said.
Thorin turned around and most of the dwarves were standing up and looking at him. Bilbo was sitting on the ground. Lirielle looked over at Thorin. The story had shed new light on the man that was now before them. Their stories were similar. She held a new respect for him. She saw the respect present in all the faces of the dwarves. Her eyes traveled to Gandalf asking if it was true. He briefly nodded.
"What about the pale orc? What happened to him" Bilbo asked.
"He slunk back into the hole whence he came. That filth died of his wounds long ago." Thorin answered.
Gandalf looked at Balin. Then both looked at Thorin. Lirielle rose from her spot needing to walk the tension out of her body before she slept. She walked over to the ponies. She swore she heard growling. Her eyes went wide. She tilted her head trying to hear more. Her eyes scanned the woods. Gandalf noticed her movements something was up with her. His thoughts were confirmed when she looked back to Gandalf with a look that read that she was not so sure of Thorin's words. Gandalf walked near her, placing his hand on Lirielle's shoulder.
"What is it Liri," Gandalf asked softly.
"It's probably nothing. I'm not so sure he is right. It's just a hunch." Liri whispered back.
"And have you had these hunches before," Gandalf questioned looking at her with possible horror.
"Yes," Liri replied looking back to the forest.
"Did they all come to fruition?" Gandalf asked looking at her face for any sign that she saw anything.
"No" Liri answered looking at him.
"Come on, Liri you're going to need your rest," Gandalf said softly leading Lirielle back to the camp.
Liri sat down on her bedroll. Thorin and her eyes met. They stared at each other for a long moment. Before, she laid back down trying to put the thoughts of the pale orc out of her head. Her hand traveled to the heart of fire around her neck. Balin and Gandalf met eyes silently communicating as they looked between Thorin and Liri. The tension between the pair was clear as day.