The next few days were spent with Shobha alternating her time between Oin in the infirmary and Bifur with the restoration work. She had become quite skilled at simple stonemasonry and had carved several runes. This work had grown quite close to her heart when she had discovered that they were restoring the west gate, where many had perished when Smaug had initially invaded Erebor, and the runes were being carved in their memory. The work helped her keep her mind off the worry she had about her parents, and going home. What explanation would she even give them… surely they would think her mad? Why did she even end up here?
Today she was working on a pattern along the edge of a doorway. It had bold lines, similar to other Dwarven architecture she had seen throughout Erebor.
Thorin, Dwalin and Balin had walked over to the stonemasons quietly, aiming not to create and interruptions, and many of the others had not noticed along with Shobha and all continued with their loud chiselling, hammering, filing, and burring.
Bifur walked over to them signing in Iglishmek spotting the worried looks on their faces 'everything alright?'
'Word from Gandalf – she's to stay put until he comes. Need to protect her from unwanted attention' Thorin signed back.
'Expect tears. Was only starting to settle in – lads value her help here. We've got much more work done." Bifur looked at Shobha over his shoulder.
Balin took a step forward, but Thorin put a hand on his shoulder to hold him back and signing, 'watch her work.' The four of them stood back quietly watching as she worked. She chiselled quietly, each tap controlled and careful, and after a few taps, ran her hand over the line clearing any debris and inspecting the work before she returned to chiselling quietly again.
'Artisan' Balin signed. 'Like you grandmother.'
Thorin nodded in quiet admiration. Balin and Dwalin observed Thorin as he watched Shobha.
'Should we tell her?' Dwalin signed to Thorin. 'Better she's angry with us, not you.'
'No you are only family here now.' Thorin signed, sorrow flitting across his face before wearing his stone mask again. 'Who am I to her.'
'We know how you feel.' Dwalin scowled. 'Don't expect us to let this go baheluh.'
'No. Won't force her to stay' Thorin stepped towards the masons. 'Nor rob her kin of her.'
The other masons had now noticed the King and stopped working.
"Your majesty" they all turned and bowed together. The noise startling Shobha, who dropped her hammer. She swiftly picked it up and turned to curtsy with them.
"Please do not let me interrupt," Thorin bowed his head graciously. "You do Erebor proud with your work."
Satisfied with this they all slowly returned back to their tasks. Shobha bashfully inspected her hammer for damage, as Thorin strode over.
"You are enjoying this," he opened, receiving a nod and a tentative smile from her. "I have something to discuss. Will you walk with me Shobha?"
She followed him, tucking her tools into her belt, and Dwalin and Balin followed a few paces behind giving them some distance.
"I have received word from Gandalf," he could feel her looking intently at her, but kept his eyes on fixed on the floor matching her strides. "He has advised that you remain here in Erebor under our protection for now. And he will arrive in time for Durin's Day, after consulting those who maybe able to help. But it is unsafe for you to travel."
"When… is Durin's Day, your highness?" He could tell she was working hard to keep herself from crying, and didn't dare look at her. He would rather anger her than cause her such pain.
"It will be in two months time," he kept his face unreadable. "My sister, Dis, will join us earlier, to keep you company. She travels here as we speak. But you must understand there will be those who seek to gain advantage through your capture, and Erebor is among the safest places you could be, guarded by us."
She slowed down, and he followed, matching her pace once more, clenching and unclenching his fists to his side. He could see she fought to keep a calm appearance, but was so vulnerable underneath it all. How he wished at this moment, with all this being, to hold and comfort her, but he would not do it like this. She would need to choose whether she would stay or return to her land.
"I apologise for bringing you bad news like this. My promise to you remains that we will do everything we can to help you, and protect you." He reassured her quietly, stealing a glance at her face. Her big dark eyes were prickling with tears, and her full lips drawn apart like she was gasping for breath. The stone dust peppering her raven hair with all the loose strands falling around her face having escaped her braid.
She nodded in reply, lost for words and stopped.
He turned and looked at Balin and Dwalin signing 'comfort her'. They nodded catching up with her quickly.
"Join us for supper tonight" Thorin bowed his head and turned, leaving them.
Dwalin and Balin caught her just in time, as she finally gave in and let the hot tears flow freely down her cheeks, leaving little trails in the stone dust covering her cheeks.
They had led her back to her room, and sat with her for a while letting her cry without trying to say anything to pacify her. There were no words of comfort to offer in circumstances like this. So they just let her cry, and hugged her, to let her know she would not be alone in this world.
When she was ready they left her to get washed and ready for supper.
They stood outside her room waiting for her patiently and led her to the royal dining room, where Bombur and Elin, had prepared a private dinner for the company. Bombur and Elin, along with Gloin and his wife were not going to join them, as they would take their supper with their own families.
Thorin sat at the head of the table with Fíli and Kili to his right, and Shobha, Balin and Dwalin to his left. They were all sensitive to the news Thorin had delivered Shobha, and dinner was a more muted event. Conversation was limited to Dis's arrival and Durin's Day.
Shobha herself was initially engrossed in her own misery, and angst about her parents being wracked with worry. But then she realised quickly how this group of dwarrows were going out of the way to comfort her, and felt very grateful for their strong presence.
"I'm sorry for being so miserable." She explained. "Its not fair, and its not your fault – "
"No! No! Nothing to apologise for – " they all interrupted at once.
"Since I am going to stay now… and I know its sacred to your culture," she began. "But please will you teach me some Khuzdul?"
They all looked at each other suddenly, as if she had said something incredibly obscene. Thorin couldn't help his eyes wondering over to her full lips, she pronounced the word impressively well.
" Of course I understand if I have overstepped, and you say no," she added not wanting sound demanding or wretched. "I am still very grateful for everything you've done for me."
Suddenly there was agreement across the table from them all that there was no harm since she was to stay there a while.
"Akminruk zu" she spoke shyly. "I think I gathered that one myself during my stay so far."
Fili and Kili had their mouths agape. Dwalin and Balin looked at one another, eyebrows raised. And Thorin allowed his gaze to shamelessly fix on her full lips, as she sounded their language with care and respect.
As she turned to look at Thorin, she caught him staring at her lips briefly before glancing down at his goblet.
Was he really looking at my lips?!
Balin had agreed to teach her Khuzdul, and more about Dwarven culture. Dwalin, Fili and Kili had suggested that they start to train her to defend herself, in the unlikely event that she is caught without any of them around. Just as they turned to leave Dwalin looked at Thorin.
'Likes reading Baheluh' Dwalin signed, 'show her.'
Thorin walked over to Shobha and held his hand out to her, "I think there may be something you might like to see…"
"Oh.. ok," she placed her hand in his and allowed him to lead her away. She stole a glance at him, and noticed how handsome he was for the first time. He was probably a couple of inches taller than her five foot one inches, and by far the tallest of the dwarves she had met so far. But he was clearly built very muscular and broad. She imagined his build was the result of training as a warrior all his adult life. His black hair had streaks of grey and was groomed well, with two braids either side of his face and his beard was trimmed unlike the other dwarrows. And tonight he was dressed more casually, in a navy linen tunic, velvet trousers and matching navy velvet long coat with thin gold piping. He held her small hand in his large calloused one, his touch felt warm, and from time to time he would rub his thumb across her knuckles. She wondered whether she had been dressed in one of his tunics the first night she had been brought there.
Thorin matched his step to hers as he guided her to the royal library adjoining his study. As they walked over silently, he stole a few glances as her when he thought she wasn't looking. She really was uniquely beautiful. Her dark eyes were big and deep enough to swim in, her lips full and her skin the colour of rich, dark honey. She had left her raven hair down tonight, it hung below her shoulders in gentle waves. He wondered how it would feel to run his fingers through her hair. She wore a silk dress in navy, edged with an embroidered gold neckline that sat along her collarbones, exposing her long neck and sloping shoulders. And the sleeves to her dress were made of a sheer material, teasing the eyes with the shape of her slender arms. Fili and Kili had done a good job in selecting the clothing that they had made for her.
He reached a large wood door with more carvings and opened it with his free hand, guiding her in again, paying close attention now to her expression. She initially walked through the door with some uncertainty, and then within a few seconds registered where they were, eyes lighting up greedily as she looked around.
"Its amazing!" She gasped.
"Its my own library… so you will have some privacy here."
"Oh my goodness… this is your private collection..?" She spun around taking in all the shelves with books and scrolls.
"And you are welcome to it – Anytime you would like," he added, drinking her in.
"Thank you so much!"
"It is my pleasure – and the least I can do to make you comfortable," he gazed into her eyes searching for any displeasure that may have remained towards him after breaking bad news today, and was relieved to find none. He placed a hand lightly on her back and guided her towards the nearest bookshelf. "I am sure there will be a few here that you might enjoy… and you wont be interrupted. My study is through there."
He then enveloped her small hand in both his large hands, keeping his face neutral and spoke "I gave you my word that I would help and protect you. And that remains."
Then leaving her to help herself to the books, he left through the door to his study, closing it behind him softly. Once shut, he leant his back heavily on the smooth wood door. He was desperate to hold her and reassure her, but he knew this was wrong. Surely he just found her vulnerability alluring. Perhaps he had been so entrenched in his duties and neglected his personal life that this was just him noticing the first capable female that came his way. Of course many noble ladies had attempted to ensnare him, but he had not been interested in the least. Why did he feel more for her? He breathed heavily, shutting his eyes, clenched and unclenched his fists by his sides.
She watched him step through the door into his office and shut it behind softy. She wished he had remained, she took comfort in his quietly strong presence, but how could she tell him that? He had already been so generous to her, how could she ask for more? Shobha saw how he carried the many burdens of his people on his strong shoulders, and how she wished she could provide him with some relief, and now she too, would be one of those burdens. She took a step towards his study door and silently placed her hand on it.
