Chapter Eleven: Mahal's Mercy
Narâ tried to keep the smile from her face when she and Thorin arrived back at the quarters assigned to the Dwarrow, biting her lip to keep a stern face. She stood with her arms folded across her chest and chin held up, trying her best to remain stoic with bright intelligent emerald eyes that drilled holes into the blushing and bashful faces of her companions.
"Lass we swear on Mahal we didn't se ye there, we meant no offence, just poking fun at the elves is all" Dwalin grunted unable to look her in the eye, his skin was a bright scarlet colour from neck to ears, he hung his head and looked only at the floor.
She looked to Thorin who like herself seemed to be containing his laughter, the smallest of smirks was mostly hidden behind his beard but being close to him she could see it. She cleared her throat "Look at me lads" she commanded trying her best to imitate her father whenever he scorned her. Several sets of eyes focused on her "Thorin and I have discussed at length an appropriate punishment" she paused a and looked into his icy blues and he nodded for her to continue "Now normally I would get ye to scrub that elven fountain clean, but I don't want to linger in Rivendell longer than necessary and I don't care for elves, so I've come up with a much sounder plan" she stopped and smirked at them all leaving them in suspense.
"After Erebor is retaken, you will herby be on dragon dung cleaning duty, this includes the entire company save Bilbo, Balin, Thorin and me." She held her hands up and chewed her lip to stop the laughter as they began to complain and groan
"Mahal have mercy, dragon scat, there ought to be tones of it" Bofur complained tossing his floppy miner hat onto the ground in frustration.
"Enough, it has been decided, this is punishment for your rash behaviour unbefitting Durin's, be glad the lady has chosen to be merciful and not demanded your beards" Thorin growled out only half angry his tone decidedly lighter than normal.
Narâ could no longer hold back her laughter and threw her head back with a howl "You should see your faces right now" she laughed so hard she had to stop for a breath, resting hands on her sides.
"You mean you jest?" Kili looked at her his face twisted into a scowl.
She stood up and swiped a tear from her cheek and blew out a breath "Oh nay lad I don't jest, I just can't help laughing, I don't think I shall ever forget the sight of Bombur's pale arse in all me life" she turned her eyes toward the chubby dwarf who turned an even deeper shade of scarlet. She winked at him and shook her head long hair tumbling down her shoulders "Perhaps it best you remained clothed the rest of the journey"
A resounding knock echoed across the room and heads turned to find a tall she elf, she bowed her head and cleared her throat "Lord Elrond summons the lady Narâ, please follow me" she said looking around the room of stout dwarves until her eyes settled on the little female.
Narâ rose a brow and shrugged whistling for Khimâ she waited at the threshold watching her beloved companion rise, shake his long silken coat and stretch, snapping massive jaws he trotted happily toward them. The spritely little elf took a half step back, her gasp getting caught in her throat as Khimâ settled his blood red eyes on her and huffed, nudging his master lovingly. Narâ snorted and ran a hand across his massive head to scratch behind his ears, she smirked at the elf lass "Well then lead on lassie"
"Wait a moment, why is Elrond summoning one of mine" Thorin inquired arms folded across his wide chest, eyes narrowed in mistrust.
The elf looked down her nose at the dwarf king and feigned ignorance "My Lord does not explain himself to me Thorin Oakenshield, he only told me to gather the Lady Narâ and bring her to him"
Thorin was not satisfied, perhaps Elrond had gotten word of his dam sneaking around his kingdom and meant to punish her, or perhaps the wizard had let it slip the reason for their journey and the elf lord thinking Narâ weak and easy to manipulate because she was female that she would confirm his suspicions. "I shall escort her there" he grunted offering Narâ his arm looking to see if the elf would object, all she offered was a nod of the head and turned walking away.
Narâ looked to Thorin who stood waiting patiently for her and she rolled her eyes slipping her hand around his forearm she allowed him to escort her behind the elf "Really Thorin I would have been fine, I have Khimâ, I seriously doubt anyone would dare attack me when he's around" she looked over her shoulder, to see her wolf trailing just behind them, pink tongue hanging from his mouth, ears perked to every sound.
Thorin frowned "Not good enough, I don't trust these elves Narâ why would Lord Elrond summon you and not myself?"
She chuckled and squeezed his arm "Aw don't tell me you're a jealous, want the elf Lord all te yerself"
He snorted "Don't be ridiculous"
She smiled and looked ahead, curious as to where she was being led, she had never traveled through this part of Rivendell during their stay, she assumed this must be a private wing held only for Lord Elrond and his family. Several beautiful paintings lined the walls, fine rugs kept the floor warm and tapestries with the house of Elrond draped from the walls. Thorin stopped and she looked at him curiously her eyes flickering around the lithe form of the she elf to stare in awe at the elven party before her.
"Lord Elrond, I have brought the Lady Narâ as requested" the female elf stated softy bowing her head she retreated to the far wall out of sight.
Narâ rose a brow at the elves before her, she had never met them before, her father having no dealings with the elven race, but she knew of one by appearance alone. She was called a witch by some, a sorceress capable of powerful magics, she had a kind smile on her face, long pale locks of gold, and pale blue eyes. She heard Thorin take in a surprised breath beside her as the female elf of legend moved toward them.
Lord Elrond gave an amused smile at the pair of dwarves, he only summoned the dwarrowdam to satisfy his guests curiosity about the dam and her wolf, but it would appear Thorin Oakenshield was not about to let him alone with one of his company. He rose steadily and nodded a greeting "May I present the Lady Galadriel, and my children Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen" he finished gesturing to the dark-haired elves in the room.
Narâ released Thorin's arm slowly and bowed her head "Narâ daughter of Narvi lord of the grey mountains pleased to meet ye"
A female elf stepped forward with a kind smile, she had dark chocolate locks that fell down her back like silken strands, she wore a simple silver gown "My father has told of the dam that rides a wolf is this true" she asked her voice had a pleasing and soothing quality about it and Narâ could only nod in agreeance, she had never been surrounded by ones as fair as this. Arwen smiled brightly excitement shining in her silver eyes "I would like to see it" she said low enough for only the dam to hear.
Narâ looked past the pretty elf toward Lord Elrond "Ye called me to put on a show fer yer children?" she snorted a hand on her hip.
Lord Elrond lifted a hand to pacify the dam "You did offer a demonstration"
She sighed and turned looking at Thorin who seemed uncomfortable around the elves more than usual, she turned and followed his line of sight, it would seem the Lady Galadriel was speaking to him with some sort of silent witchcraft. She nudged him softly "Thorin" but he did not answer, his blue eyes wide as he stood stalk still and ridged and she groaned turning toward the awaiting elves "Well it appears my leader has gone deaf, alright Elrond I shall show yer guest Khimâ"
She turned and whistled loudly, listening for the pattering of large paws on stone flooring, smiling brightly at her wolf as he round a corner cautiously, hackles slightly raised as his red eyes scanned the room. She cooed to him softly, speaking Khuzdul until he was at her side, his from towering over the back of her head, she took a step back and rested her head on his chest "There you have it lass, this be my wolf"
Arwen looked up in awe, her father had explained the strange Warg upon her arrival and she was anxious to see it for herself, she had heard the legends of the wild race but had never had the privilege to see one for herself. He was larger than his cousins, a wide broad chest and long white fur, pointed ears and a bushy tail, she smiled and reached out a hand, he didn't look a fearsome Warg but a large pup.
"Arwen see reason" one of the brunette brothers hissed grasping his sister's arm and pulling her back as she tried to touch the beast.
Narâ snorted and rolled her eyes "Relax lad, he wont bite unless I command him too" she said with an annoyed huff, hands on her hips.
"Elladan, step down, I believe Lady Narâ knows her pet better than you" Lord Elrond said with amusement his eyes traveling between his disgruntled son and the little dwarrowdam.
Arwen looked at the little female dwarf and smiled "Can you really speak to him, and he understands?"
Narâ snorted "Aye lass, that he does, Khimâ understands the language of elves, dwarves and men, and I suspect orcs if he were to be round them enough"
Elrohir stepped forward and looked over the Warg with a curious eye "Ped- garav- speak wolf"
Khimâ tracked the elven male that stood so close to his master and packmate with a protective eye, hackles refused to be smoothed down as he was surrounded, the elven male spoke to him and demanded he speak in return, he pulled back a lip to reveal his long canines and barked, the elf smirking back at him.
Narâ rolled her eyes unamused, she stepped up to her wolf and ran her fingers down his throat "naimgili-calm" she said softly scratching under his chin. She turned and looked over her shoulder at the elven party clearing her throat "Ni-gar saeda hon Sindarin-I have taught him elvish"
Elrohir smirked down at the little dwarf female crossing his arms over his chest "So you are able to speak our language as well, give him a command, it is nothing for a wolf to bark it proves nothing"
Narâ sighed looking at Thorin from the corner of her eye, he still seemed to be busy having some sort of silent conversation. She turned her attention back toward her wolf and whistled getting his attention "Hav-araf-sit wolf" she called giving him a gentle smile as he sat on his haunches cocking his head to the side as he watched waiting her next command.
She turned and narrowed her eyes at the tall dark-haired elf "Satisfied"
Arwen approached the Warg and hesitantly touched the soft fur, smiling to herself as the Warg turned his head to watch her, his red eyes glowing in the dim lighting, she turned and ran her hand through his fur on his back looking at the small leather strapping that traveled across his shoulder blades "Mistress dwarf did this come by your hand?" she asked curiously as she inspected the leatherwork closely. It was of dark hardened leather, not so wide as a hand width with runes of ancient dwarvish scribed into the leather, several smaller loops decorated the sides as if it were some sort of saddle.
Narâ nodded "Aye I crafted it myself, it is fitted for Khimâ to allow me to ride without falling off and for his comfort" she pat him on the side clicking her tongue, the Warg lowered himself to the floor allowing her to mount. She picked up the folds of her skirts crawling onto his back "i'lizî-rise" she commanded smirking as the elleth moved away in surprise as Khimâ stood to his full height.
"So, you ride this beast into battle then?" Elladan said looking up at her as she nodded.
"Aye we are a pair, Khimâ has fought many quarrels at my side" Narâ said.
"I have heard tales of the wolf rider, that travels the Misty Mountains, you and your kin keep our passages safe" Lord Elrond said looking over the small dam and her white beast.
Thorin was captivated by the Lady Galadriel, her presence was almost overwhelming, he could feel the strain on his mind as she stared into his soul with her crystalline eyes.
"You seek the mountain" she called her voice soothing some of the headache that pulsed at his temples.
He could not speak, his tongue felt as if it were dipped in lead, he only looked into her eyes "Yes" the truth was spilt before he could fathom why he was telling an elf his business.
"You shall suffer great losses on this journey, but I feel it is of grave importance Erebor is reclaimed before darkness turns its eye to your ancestral home" her voice was nether angry or kind, she only spoke with calmness he found unsettling.
"You won't stop us then?" he asked surprised by the small smirk that lifted the corner of her lip.
"Things have already been set in motion, you seek the moonstones of Rivendell" she asked the first hint of amusement in her voice, her eyes flickering from his own to the female he escorted.
He could not move his eyes away from her own, but he was acutely aware of Narâ beside him, she was entertaining Elrond's guests. "Yes"
"You are wise to trust her, she will aid you more than you understand Thorin Oakenshield" she said softly.
"I already know that, she is a respectable dwarrowdam" he grunted a little annoyed.
She smirked "Are you prepared to lose something you love on this journey, you will face great loss" she said and he wanted to look away "I am accustomed to loss, and Erebor must be reclaimed at all costs"
"And if a life is lost" she asked.
"Whose life?" he demanded, desperately wanting to see the answer in her eyes but she only gave a subtle shake of her head.
"Make the right choices Thorin, for the wrong ones will cost you dearly" she said closing her eyes releasing him from her trance.
Thorin grunted and shook his head, the throbbing in his temple causing him to wince. He looked up to see the Lady Galadriel float away, the long tails of her white gown trailing the ground behind her. It would seem her presence was not missed as not even Lord Elrond bid her farewell. He turned his gave to see Narâ astride her Warg, a scowl on her face as the elves watched her parade about like some animal on display.
"What are you doing?" he called to her, watching her eyes zero in on his face.
"Thorin welcome to the land of the living" she teased, clicking her tongue Khimâ turned toward him and trotted to his side.
He frowned crossing his arms, looking past the wolf to Lord Elrond "So you wanted a demonstration and you've gotten one, Narâ come" he grunted turning on his heel when a throat was cleared.
"I invite you to din this evening with my kin and myself should you wish it, please inform the rest of your company" Lord Elrond said politely.
Thorin went to refuse when the female elleth approached Narâ with a wide grin "Please Mistress Dwarf, I would enjoy the company of another woman at my fathers table"
Narâ looked from Arwen to Thorin who had a deep-set scowl on his face, his eyes burning into hers, he gave a small shake of his head and she sighed "I thank ye for the invite lord Elrond, but I will decline this night, our company has already taken advantage of yer hospitality long enough"
Thorin released a breath glad she understood the need for haste, he wanted the map translated and to be gone by first light, another feast with Lord Elrond would likely go to long into the eve and he didn't want to miss their chance of properly translating the map. "Khimâ naigjiji" he said turning back toward the quarters the other Dwarrow were residing in.
Narâ snorted rolling her eyes at Thorin's back as he walked just ahead of them, Khimâ following closely behind with her still mounted on his back.
She pat her wolf and commanded he stop so she could dismount, grabbing her skirts she hit the ground with a thud clicking her tongue at her beast he trotted ahead, finding a comfortable spot beside a makeshift campfire her companions created while she and Thorin were gone.
"What the elf want?" Dwalin called out as she and Thorin approached the others.
She sighed "Oh wanted a show fer his children, had me prance about on Khimâ" she shrugged looking with amusement at Bofur and Bombur as they slow roasted sausage links over a fire of broken down tables and chairs.
"Want one lass?" Bofur asked holding out a link of meat toward her, she smiled and nodded, snatching the piece of meat as it sailed through the air toward her. She took a bit and groaned "Mahal's beard I missed meat, only so much green stuff me stomach can handle" she said between mouthfuls.
"I quite like the elven food" Bilbo said quietly behind her.
She snorted and looked over her shoulder at him "Aye, yer little hobbit home was full of em, at least you also enjoy meat"
Bilbo sighed "Perhaps they chose not to serve you meat because you bathed in their fountain, in public" he huffed rolling his eyes at the shouts of laughter.
"Oh, Master Baggins, I do believe you could be right" she chuckled popping the last bite of meat into her mouth.
"Thorin" she called looking across the little room to see him in conversation with Balin and Gandalf, watching with amusement as the wizard growled out something and stormed away.
He looked over at the dwarrowdam with a raised brow, she was seated beside Bofur, and Bifur slow roasting a piece of meat over the fire created from the elves furniture, something he found deeply amusing. The fire cast a glow over her face, the shimmering silver gown catching the light, she looked beautiful "Yes Narâ?" he said thickly, clearing his throat.
She stood tall cracking her back before she approached him "Here eat" she said shoving her portion of food toward him.
He shook his head and she snorted "Eat it or ill shove it down yer throat" she chuckled, and he snorted grabbing the meat "Fine"
Satisfied she smirked "Aright now come on we have things to do before night is over" she said rolling her eyes as the others whistled and cat called looking at the pair with amused eyes.
"Quiet" Thorin growled out, cheeks tinted pink as he glared at the other Dwarrow who were giving him cheeky grins, he turned and nodded at Narâ offering her his arm "You sure its tonight" he asked softly as she approached him.
She nodded "Aye has to be tonight, or we'll miss our chance" she said slipping her arm through his.
"What ye talkin about" Dwalin said standing up to join them, a frown on his face, it seemed Thorin was more secretive these days, he spent more time seeking council from the dam than he did the rest of the company even Balin who had been advising Thorin for decades.
Narâ smiled at the bald Dwarrow "At ease Master Dwalin, Thorin and I have business to conduct we shall return shortly, I trust you to keep the others in line yes"
Dwalin scratched at the back of his neck, the dams' eyes lingered on his face, her emerald eyes so captivating, and he blushed and nodded "Aye lass" he said unable to form a proper sentence.
He watched them leave turning around the corner and disappearing from sight, he turned toward the fire looking at the strange faces of his companions.
"What you think they are doing?" Kili said leaning back against a pillar tossing a rune stone up and down in his hands.
"Sounded important, whatever it was" Nori said from the back of the group, a golden candlestick in his hands. He looked over his shoulder to see if anyone was paying him any mind before stuffing it into his woolen sack, along with other goods he had discovered in the house of Lord Elrond, surely the elves wouldn't notice a few things gone missing.
"She said it had to be tonight or they'd miss their chance" Fili said with a shrug looking at his younger brother play with the rune stone their mother had given them before they left Erin Luin. He frowned looking over at the others settling his gaze on Balin "What are they up to Balin, surely Thorin has told you?"
Balin sighed and shook his head "Nay lad I haven't a clue, Thorin's mind has been on other matters of late, I think staying with the elves so long has made him irrational"
"You don't think they have snuck off to" Kili smirked insinuating a crude gesture, laughing at the shocked expressions on the others faces.
"Enough of that lad" Dwalin growled shaking his head.
Kili shrugged "She's a fine lass, surely even uncle can see that, you all see how he is with her, maybe they've snuck off to spend time alone" he chuckled waggling his brow, yelping as a dagger was thrown toward his head.
"Kili enough" Balin sighed shaking his head.
Kili sat up rubbing his shoulder where he hit the ground with a huff, turning his eyes toward the hobbit he had a brilliant idea "Bilbo you are our burglar I say you follow them, see what is going on, surely this is a good test to see what skills you posses,"
Bilbo looked uncomfortable, opening and closing his mouth to decline "Well I'm sure they don't want to be disturbed" he said lamely, his excuse poor even to his own ears.
"Don't be daft lad, go ahead see what is going on" Dwalin said slapping a heavy hand on his shoulder.
Bilbo twitched his nose annoyed but stood with a sigh "Fine" he held his hands up "Lets hope Thorin is in a favourable mood" he grumbled to himself as he walked away.