Sorry for this chapter taking so long. I have had a few things just go bad in a row. Starting with my husband loosing his job and then my 87 year old father getting sick again and having another heart attack. Let's just say my mind has a been a bit numb. The husband has another job now and my father is still sick but better. So with luck the next chapter will be a bit quicker.
The three of them had been in the saddle all day. Kal sighed heavily as they reached the gates of Erebor. She was not used to being on the back of a horse, even when she was a nomad she rode in a wagon. Gimli spoke to the gatekeepers and Brand looked over to the veiled beauty beside him. "Prepare to be a little overwhelmed at first." He said softly.
Kal looked to him and curiously. "Why is that?" Brand laughed gently and looked at her squarely. "You have never seen what dwarves can do with stone."
She began to look at the stone around the entrance to Erebor. She knew there was a whole city in the mountain but she had never given what that might entail much thought. Now she was seeing the details of the carved stone. The intricate lines and swirls but mostly it was somewhat squarish. Gimli returned and smiled to them. "Alright, Ye both lave been granted entrance but that doesn't mean we will see The King today. So just be prepared for it tomorrow." Brand and Kal dismounted and took their packs. Brand carried Kal's and the horses where taken by a young rosy cheeked dwarf.
Sunlight spilled through the opened gates and into the largest anteroom she had ever seen. Light from the upper walkway over the door filled the room. The domed ceiling Had to be 50 feet high and upon it was a mural made from 1000's of gems. She wasn't sure but she believed it to be of Thorin Oakenshield. "Brand." She whispered and as he leaned in she asked in a hushed tone. "Is that Thorin Oakenshield?" Her head tilted back and she pointed up.
"Yes that is him." Brand answered and smiled as he watched her marvel at the shimmering image.
"The wealth to have that allows such a work of art." She breathed in deeply. "That is astounding."
Brand smirked a little and reach out to curl his fingers around hers. "Come along Kal, this is just the front the door." He tugged her along to where Gimli was standing with a small group of dwarves. They eyed Kal. Having never seen a woman dressed like this. Brand was familiar with them all especially Nurmoc. He was one to disagree with everything. Not to mention his abrupt in your face manners.
A disagreement was breaking out amongst them and Brand halted their approach and stopped several feet away. "Tha is what I'm a askin. Why is she so covered up?" Brand groaned and felt his hand lifting to his face to palm it.
Kal smiled behind her veils and cleared her throat. "If you want to know Sir, Dwarf I am standing right here ready to answer your questions."
He looked at you with a level emotionless graze. For a moment he was perhaps offended by her speaking to him but he brushed that off and took several steps towards her. "Well Lassy? Why are you so covered up?"
"It is customary for unattached never married women to wear the veils to symbolize that. Once married we no longer wear them." She answered with a smile that showed in her eyes.
"That so?" He questioned but did not expect an answer, he continued on, "Thank you for tellin me. I was just curious." He turned away and Kal grinned to herself and looked to Brand. Her voice was soft. "He is abrasive but I think I know how to handle him."
The next 2 nights had gone very well for them. Julian and Moravar danced and all parties were happy with the monetary out come. They purchased a horse and a mule. The cost of another horse would have been to great so the mule was given to Patsy. Moravar was finishing up the payment with the livery owner. Patsy stood next to Selwyn and looked at his new steed.
"I can not tell you how much I dislike mules. I had one kick me quite hard when I was a child." Patsy laments.
"Oh come on Patsy he is just the sweetest guy." She walked into the stable and started to pet him and feed him slices of apples pulled from her pocket. "Come on." She offered an apple slice to him so he could feed the mule too. "He can sense your fear Patsy just calm down and feed him this."
Patsy took the apple and stepped closer to the mule and offered it to him. Soon the mule was eating from Patsy's hand. Selwyn gave him the small bag of apple slices as she ran her hand down the mules side and talked to him softly.
Her hands explores down along his legs and hocks. "Yep he is a young strong mule. He needs a name." She said as Patsy gleefully fed apple slices to him.
"Thalion," They turned to look on Moravar. "It means steadfast." He placed an old worn saddle on the hay by the stall. A saddle blanket lay on top of it. "Saddle him up I know Patsy can't ride bareback. The stable owner says he has been ridden before."
Julian smirked as he got acquainted with his new horse. I lovely rich brown mare. "I doubt Patsy will be able to handle that one Moravar, he has the heart of kitten." Moravar chuckled softly. "He might surprise you. Did you and Yana part on good terms? This time?"
Julian hiss softly and glared over his shoulder at Moravar. "Yes."
"I have to say I am surprised you did not spend your nights with her."
"Who said I needed the nights?" Julian asked sharply.
"Oh, well I stand corrected." He rolled his eyes then. "I know you did nothing Julian. The reason has me curious though."
Julian grit his teeth and choked back some harsh words as Selwyn walked by, leading the mule. "We will see you both outside." She chimed brightly.
Julian stepped into the sunlight and watched as Selwyn coached Patsy on how to pull himself up in the saddle. The Mule was laden with supplies that hung on either side of his back half and the small saddle in the front. With a few attempts he managed to pull himself up. Thalion stepped back and forth and started to become agitated.
"Shh shh now Thalion. You need to carry Patsy please." Selwyn spoke to the mule and rubbed along his neck.
"You just barely learned about riding yourself Selwyn, how do you know what you're doing?" Moravar asked.
"I know mules. We used one to help plow the fields when I was younger. They are a noble breed that does not get the recognition they deserve." She looked up to Moravar and offered her hand up and he pulled her into his saddle.
Julian scowled deeply. Why was she choosing to ride with him? Something happened. He just knew it.
They left the port and began their journey to Osgiliath.
Hilda stood before the first full classes of her new school. The children were divided into 3 classes all within the large room. They rotated out the use of the large slate wall. It was soon becoming apparent trying to teach the older children with the youngest children in the same room was going to be near impossible.
They just could not be quiet enough to allow the older student to listen and learn. The teachers for the youngest students lead them from room to take them outside to enjoy the break in the rain. They were going to need to come up with a solution to this problem. Once things were quieted down she continued on her with her history lesson.
During the lunch break she discussed the situation with Harevelle and a few of the other teachers. Tamela was an unmarried woman in her early 20's. She was very good with mathematics. This was her first time teaching and was struggling a little being in the authority role of a teacher. She had little input and remained in the back of the group. Beruthiel was an older lady who was married to a much younger business owner. Their May, December relationship had turned many heads in the past but she knew her stuff when it came to literature and language skills.
"I will go speak with Haldir about this. I am sure we can come up with someplace we can move the younger students. It just may take a few days to make whatever we come up with suitable." Hilda sighed. "It is my fault for not taking just how loud a group of young children can be."
"Don't berate yourself too much Hilda. Your idea is a very good one. There is bound to be a few obstacles to trip over along the way. I am more concerned with when we bring the children from tent town into the class. There have been rumblings from a few of the longer lived families of Dale concerning these "heathen" children as they call them." Beruthiel said in a whisper. "It angers me and makes me uneasy about the tensions that will come from such people."
"Heathens?" Tamela asked in shock. "How can children be thought heathens? They are just children."
Harevelle laid her hands on Tamela's shoulders. "You have a lot to learned about how things work. You would be surprised at what a lot of elves think of men." She spoke from her own personal experience on that.
"Let's tackle one thing at a time here. First we get another classroom for the wee ones then we work on changing hearts and minds." Hilda sighed as she left the classroom and went to find an even more busy Haldir, his work load had doubled with Brand gone to Erebor.
Kal and Brand settled into their rooms. Interestingly enough they had been given a suite. Gimli had thought they would be more comfortable like this. "Well what do you think? Pretty nice." Brand said with a smile.
"It is almost suffocating." She said, making Brand frown but he listened. There is that feeling of being underground yet the air is always fresh. While there are no windows there is always a breeze."
"We will only be here a few days and I am sure you are welcomed to go outside or send time in one of the less underground spaces." He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back against his chest. "I am choosing to look at this like a vacation with my woman with a little work thrown in."
She laughed at him and wiggled away. "Always the optimist?" She said with a bit of a laugh.
He shrugged a bit in response and reached out to capture her small wrist in his rough hand. She emitted a small gasp as he pulled her back against his chest and wrapped his arms around her. There was this delicious warmth radiating against her back and she felt his breath against her ear as he leaned in close. "I have much to look forward to. This might be the first night we will have absolutely no reason to expect any interruptions." He whispered and she felt his lips brush against her ear lobe.
He was having an effect on her that made her feel suddenly quite warm under her layers of clothing. "I didn't bring the right clothing." She said flatly, which made Brand's brows furrow. "What I had in mind didn't involve clothing."
She stepped away and pulled herself from his embrace. "If we do this Brand I can no longer wear the dress of an unattached woman." Brand placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her about slowly. "I am fine with that Kal. Don't you get it? I want to spend the rest of my life with you and I am not ashamed of it. I mean it Kal." She tried to look away from him but he wouldn't let her. When she looked into his eyes she saw nothing but sincere love in them.
"We will deal with what ever comes at us. Being with me does not mean abandoning your people." His voice lowered as she stepped in closer to him and finally pressed against his chest. He wrapped his arms about her. "You must marry me first." She said against his chest. "I am quite traditional when it comes to this Brand. Please," His fingers pressing under her chin cut her words off and he gently tugged the veils down. His lips met hers in a tender kiss. He smiled on her as his heart beat hard in his chest. "Thank you and I will respect your feelings on tradition. I am about to explode with joy that you simply said yes."
Julian eyed Moravar and Selwyn most of the day. The more he watched them the more he began to seethe. By the time they stopped to make camp he was in a foul mood. He volunteered to go fetch firewood, just to get away from them and clear his mind.
Selwyn helped Patsy unsaddle Thalion. "That was a uncomfortable ride." He muttered and rubbed at his backside. "The saddle is a bit small for you." She said as she undid it's buckle and pulled the saddle from the mules back and passed it to Patsy. Her hand began to rub along where the saddle and blanket had sat. Thalion approved of this and snorted and nudged against her gently.
"Oy go on you silly mule and graze." she laughed happily and watched as the mule pranced off to join the horses. "I'm going to go help Julian," She chimed brightly. Moravar nodded in her direction.
She found Julian with a small pile of various sized sticks beside the rock he was sitting on. A small brook babbled before him and he looked for the moment quite lost in thought. Taking a step forward her foot snapped a twig, he turned suddenly his hand on the hilt of his sword. Once realizing it was Selwyn he relaxed. "You shouldn't sneak up like that Selwyn. Especially when we are in the road." He gentle chastised her before looking back off towards the brook.
"I was coming to help you gather wood." She said gently and approached the rock and climbed up to sit next to him upon the cool surface of it. She was quite as she looked down at the moss growing on it's northside. "Something seems to be bothering you, do you want to talk about it?" She asked in a soft voice.
Julian could feel the warmth of her against his side. The breeze blew over her flesh and he could smell her scent and he pushed those desires away. Truth was he was trying to figure out why he felt this jealousy when it came to her riding with Moravar or even if something else has happened between them, why was he reacting like this?
"Selwyn." he began gently and shifted his eyes do look at her. "Has something happened between you and Moravar?"
He could see her body stiffen just slightly before she relaxed and began to chuckle. "Why are you jealous?" she asked amused.
He looked forward and stared at the trees. "No, I just, I," He sighed. " I promised you that I would do my best to return you to your grandfather unmarred. I need to know, is there something between the both of you."
She shrugged a bit and folded her fingers together and lay them in her lap. "He kissed me." She confessed and Julian stiffened. She quickly locked her arm around his and leaned against him. "Now Julian hear me out." She could hear the sound of his teeth grinding together. "It was mutual Julian. He did not force himself on me and it was just a kiss nothing more."
This was not calming him down. "Julian I was curious and he isn't the worst looking man, er elf." She tried to correct herself then narrowed her eyes. "What's the word for male elf anyway?"
"Ellon," Julian answered and began to calm a little.
"Ellon" The word flowed from her lips She even got the little trill correct when she said it. "Anyway, I was curious. There are many things I am curious about Julian. It doesn't mean I will dive heard first into trying to experience them all."
"Why didn't you come to me?" He asked.
She giggled. "Oh come on Julian, Seriously?" she rolled her eyes and released his arm and he mourned the loss of her touch. "If it will make you feel better I will ride only with you." Slowly she slides herself off the rock. Lowering down she began to gather up the wood he had collected.
"That would make me feel better." He said gently and reached out to caress the soft sea of red locks that adorned her head. Before his fingertips could touch it she stood up and his hand withdrew quickly. Her bright green eyes looked to his. "Then this is settled and this," she looked at the wood in her arms. "Is a good start, we will need more." With that she turned and walked off.
Julian watched her go then growled lowly. "Moravar," He hissed to himself. Moravar began to forage. Yes they had some supplies but he would supplement that with things he could find. He was finding many things, wild onions and small carrots that were yellow in color. Patsy was working on getting the cooking fire going. Nice and hot with a lot of coals. He would not eat poorly if it was not required and he felt the others might appreciate it. He could hear Julian's steps, hard and fast upon the grass and coming right for him.
"If I didn't know you better I would say you were angry." Moravar said with a small grin as he rose from his crouched position to stand and watch Julian.
"Angry is not the word for what I am." Julian growled out, making Moravar tilt his head back a bit and regard Julian a higher point of view. "Then I was right, You're livid." He said matter-of-factly. Then he saw that little twitch under Julian's left eye. That little tell, Moravar dropped the gathered food and braced himself as Julian closed the distance between within the blink of an eye. The punch thrown swiftly but blocked by Moravar's lifting left arm. "Now Julian, this is not needed." He warned and has the next punch was coming Moravar shifted his weight and turned to hook his right arm with Julian's, swinging him around and pulling him off balance. Julian's back hitting the ground he found himself pinned down by Moravar.
"It is you who dug this hole. You know full well what she thinks of you and you have done nothing to correct it." There he said it. Pinning the blame squarly on the shoulders of the one who deserved it. Julian blinked and narrowed his eyes as he struggled against Moravar's vice like grip on his neck. "Oh and you had the chance to do it not long ago and you stopped yourself and allowed it to continue." He hissed.
"Yes," Moravar smiled. "I did, if you recall she told me to pull the stick from my ass. She would not believe me."
Julian's lips twitched a bit. He glared right back into Moravar's gaze. Moravar's lips twitched a bit too. Then they both began to laugh and Moravar loosened his grip then sat back. The second he did so Julian punched him right in the jaw making his fly back a foot or so. He turned to lunge for Julian, who had at some point relieved Moravar of his own knife. The knife drawn back in a manner that said he meant to use it. "Now stop, You deserved the punch for kissing her." Moravar growled then and sat down eyeing Julian.
"What did you expect me to do? She came to me, she initiated it and her reasons I agree with."
"And those are?"
"She is an innocent Julian and you are putting her into what will most likely be a bad situation. She needs to know what to expect. You know that. What will you do Julian? Send a well read yet totally naïve girl to the wolves? I will not deny her requests on that fact alone."
Julian ground his teeth.
"You are behaving well out of your normal Julian. What gives? What is it about this girl?"
"That is none of your business Moravar."
"Oh yes it is, You drug me into this making the entire thing my business."
Julian turned the knife between his fingers and offered the hilt back to Moravar who leaned in and took it.
He let out a long sigh and fell back against the grass in defeat. "From the moment I first saw her," He began and moved his arm so his head lay on it. "I felt it, this pull to her. I want to protect her. I want to lock her in a nice safe box." He began to confess. "Then the thought of HIS hands upon her makes me want to wretch Moravar." He picked up a small clod of dirt and rolled it slowly between his slender fingers. Breaking it up into dust. "He will not stop, He will keep sending hunters after her. It has to end before any more fall victim to him. I have the means to do this right in my hands and I question the plan everyday." He lifted his gaze to Moravar's. Holding it and never allowing that to waiver. "With you though, my old friend, we might just stand a chance at coming out of this unharmed for the most part. I will tell her in my own way in due time just don't destroy it before then please."
Moravar could not believe what he was hearing. He listened to every word enraptured by them. He began to laugh. Just a small chuckle at first then more hearty belly laughing followed. "I, I just can't believe my ears. You just professed your love for a lowly dirty farm girl from nowhere." Moravar watched Julian begin to scowl and get angry again. "She really is more my type Julian. It is just surprising," His tone softened. "If you truly feel this way about her you will tell her everything. If she still chooses to follow your plan I will stay on and see it through."
She was covered in dust and sneezing softly. Hilda pulled filthy heavy drapes back from shuttered windows. The only room that was remotely useable at this time was in what had been a guest house. Long having been used as storage. She pushed the shutters open and in poured bright light with glittering dust dancing within it. Kicked up be herself and now the gentle breeze.
The screeching sound of a chair being pulled over the floor made her jump and she shot a look towards Callon who was now apologizing. His hands were in the air and he looked a bit surprised by just how loud it had been. "So sorry Hilda."
She smiled at him and shook her head. "No worries let's get this room cleared out and see what we can use from it." Callon lifted the chair he had used to assault their senses with and then the one next to it and turned to carry it out. "Hilda, leave the heavy things to me please. If something were to happened to you. My captain will surely pull my ears off." She chuckled and turned her attentions to small items.
Borgil showed up with a few strapping young lads from their group. With their help the room was cleared fairly quickly. Hilda stood amongst dusty old furniture that needed repair. "Everything needs some help." She sighed and ran her fingers over a small table that had one uneven leg and wobbled back and forth. "I can fix anything you need fixed Hilda." Borgil chimed happily.
"You?" She turned quickly and eyed Borgil. "Yes indeed me," Borgil lifted his head a bit. "my family are all skilled wood workers. I just need a few tools and I can make everything functional. It may not be very pretty though."
"Bah, we don't need pretty just working." She looked around and sighed. "Ok Borgil, I need every chair to be cut about 3 inches shorter. These will be small children. Those benches over there too. These tables need to be lowered," she looked around. "Do you think you can repurpose some of this to make book shelves and places for storage?"
"I think I can do all that Hilda. I could use Callon's help." She looked from Borgil to Callon who was carrying a rather large wooden box from within what was to become the school for the smaller children. "Of course Callon can stay and help you, as long as it isn't disrupting his other duties." She said smartly. She had no idea what Haldir might need of them.
Claressa and Burt made their way through the garden and towards the guest house. "We've come to help." Burt called out. Hilda waved to them and when Callon walked from the building and Claressa saw him, Hilda watched as she stopped and seemed to second guess coming to help. Callon just went about his work without even a second glance. Hilda smiled to herself and called out. "Clar come along. I need some help inside."
Claressa hurried along and passed the boys as they began to talk about what they were going to do to the furniture. The front room was large with a hearth to one side and a stone sink. There were 2 other rooms. Both where empty with their windows wide open. "I was thinking we could set this smaller bedroom up as a place for naps and the larger one could be a playroom for days we can not take them outside." Hilda spoke a bit excitedly. "What do you think?"
"We could see if the elves could make a smaller slate board for the classroom and maybe one for the play room so the children can doodle on it." Claressa suggested. "Those are great idea's Clar." Hilda said with a smile.
"Perhaps you can go talk to them about it?" As soon as the suggestion left Hilda's lips Claressa began to blush and look away. "I don't think that should be me." She said quickly. Hilda began to chuckle softly. "Ok, I will go talk to them. Could you begin the cleaning?" Claressa nodded and found the cleaning supplies Hilda had brought.
She stopped in the door and watched the 2 elves and Burt figure out what all they needed to what they would be doing. Her eyes drifting from Burt to Callon. It was obvious that Claressa had a crush on Callon. Then there was Burt, who it was obvious was in love with Claressa. Everyone believed he was the father of the child she carried but Hilda was not convinced and Claressa was not speaking about it. Burt never denied it. She could only shrug.
The night had been a bit boring for Brand. She spent the night locked in her room and he spent the night wishing he knew how to pick locks. Though she looked lovely standing beside him in her white and gold robes. Her piercing dark eyes peered over a line of gold at the top of her veils. They waited to be shown in for their audience with the King. It was a lunch meeting. Which was fine, Kal was starving and Brand could hear the growling of her angry belly as they stood in the silent stone hall.
"Best get that under control." He teased.
"Like I have control over it. I just need to eat." She hissed back.
Then thankfully the door opened and they were shown in. It was a small feast on the table before them and Kal groaned as the delicious scent made it to her nose. The King stood at one end of the table and was about to speak when Kal's stomach interrupted him. Her eyes widened, Brand closed his and King Thorin began to chuckle. "I agree my lady let's get on with the food. I am starving."
From that moment on the weight of the affair was lifted. They dined and laughed together. The King Under the Mountain was of course a bit rough around his edges but he and Kal seemed to make a connection. This made Brand smile like a fool. The plates were soon carried away and they were served warm cobbler made from preserved fruits. That was when the talk shifted a bit to the fact that Kal had just said yes to Brand's proposal. This news seemed to make the Dwarf King very jovial. He toasting them with his goblet of wine.
"I would be happy to marry you both and as a gift I will grant your request Lady Kal. We will provide you with the things you need to rebuild part of the city for your people." He smiled on her and she stammered and thanked him. They had not even mentioned the reason for their visit. "I am overwhelmed by your generosity My Lord but, I never had the chance to even ask for your help."
"I knew why you were coming before you even got to my front door," he chucked. "I had been mulling it over for a few days already Lassy. These pending nuptials is all I needed to find an excuse to be generous." He winked at her then laughed again. Brand felt a bit breathless as it all hit him.
There was a comfortable stride they had all adapted as they traveled. Steady but not pushing themselves. The Hunter, The Thief, The Grifter and The Princess, seemed to come together in a strangely harmonious way. It was not peace, love and rainbows. No this was more snark, insults and humor. Especially between Julian and Moravar. It had not gone unnoticed, the way their relationship started to morph into something that often had her smiling and hiding giggles. This was how very old friends acted. Even though either of them would have protested the very idea she thought them close.
It took them almost the whole week to get to where the road split. One way went right to Minas Tirith and the other to Osgiliath. Julian veered into the road to the port but Moravar stopped. "I need to go to Minas Tirith." He suddenly announced with made them all stop and turn to look at him. "Just go on to the port and get us transport for 3 days hence. Stay at out usual place Julian. I will meet you there."
"..and what will you be doing in the city Moravar? You avoid Minas Tirith as if it were cursed." Julian questioned him suspiciously.
Moravar grimaced a bit and ran his tongue slowly over his teeth before speaking. "My business there is my own Julian, butt out."
"Uh huh, say hi to Charlie for me." He said and turned his horse about and headed down the road. "Come on you two, At least we get to clean up and relax in the best flea bag in the port." He called over his shoulder. Patsy looked hard at Moravar. Selwyn, who was riding with him spoke in a low tone. "I don't like this Moravar."
He sighed softly as Undómë came along side the mule. Selwyn perched on the mules rump looked up to him. "What I need to do will be helpful to us all. I am in no danger. Don't worry, it's me we are talking about here."
That made her even more wary. "Just come back to us safely." She finally said and tightened her arms around Patsy. The mule trotted towards Julian, with Selwyn bouncing lightly on his back. Moravar watched them as they rounded the bend in the road and he pointed himself towards the White City.