Thirty minutes passed before Balin and the other three returned. The company gathered around the foot of their secluded camp, eager to know what lay beyond their location. Upon returning some noticed Éla's set mood as she kept some distance from the dwarf leader. She stayed with Ori, listening to every explanation of the drawings and notes in his book. For the first time, he did not shy away as he spoke in confidence. The scribe had a gentle, innocent personality, never faltering over his words. Éla turned her head to watch the others in deep discussion while still paying attention to Ori. Bilbo had gone up to Thorin, who withdrew the map, handing it over. She watched Bilbo perch himself on a small boulder nearby, extensively examining the piece of parchment before occasionally looking up the mountain's wall, then back down again. Fili and Kili stayed by their uncle. Balin stole a few glances towards Éla and Ori, but didn't leave Thorin's side right away.
A moment later Ori's voice dropped, merging into silence and swift scratches of his quill took precedence. The female gazed upon him, observing every stroke bringing the image to life.
"What are you drawing?"
He lifted his head to look at her before returning his attention to the page, a sheepish smile forming as he continued his work. "You."
"Me?" Éla was a bit surprised and leaned closer to view the interpretation. "Why's that? I'm sure you could find a more suitable subject at the moment."
Ori's detail extended beyond Éla's silhouette overlooking the scene behind her, to a rough outline of Thorin in the background. He glanced up again, examining her braids before mimicking its design on paper where appropriate.
"You're an important part of the company. If all goes well," he fell silent, resting the quill and gazed over her shoulder. "You will be our queen."
"I'm not so sure about that, but it's a kind thought." Éla didn't have much spirit left, none of them really did being under the mountain's shadow.
Bilbo continued to ponder over the runes when finally he stared hard up the mountain wall, surveying every crevice and likeliness to the drawing on the map.
"I think we should move." He stated none too quiet.
Thorin strode towards him. "What good will that do?"
"Better than staying here." Bilbo pointed to the marker on the map. "The door may be located further in that direction, away from the South Gate of the river."
He waited for Thorin's approval. The dwarf leader faced his company after briefly scanning the map in the hobbit's hands. "Let's move out. We'll make camp west of this location."
The dwarves moved the ponies to a long valley far more constricted from where they were camped previously. There was a little more hope to spare with fewer tracks of the dragon and more greenery patching the soil. Light from the setting Sun began to diminish as night set in. Gloin started a fire and a meal was prepped and ready in no time. Éla sat against a tall tree stump, looking out towards what little could be seen of the plain further below and part of Dale. They were mostly surrounded by large rock spurs which provided some shelter from the wind and prying eyes of unwanted company.
Éla whipped out a small knife and apple she had confiscated from her pouch and began slicing the fruit. She watched the golden Sun fade behind the forest trees in the distance. Night crawled over the sky in darkness, soon wiping out all traces of daylight. Gazing up at the stars, she silently prayed that their camp would go unnoticed for the night. Chatter and crackling of the cooking fire echoed around them. Éla listened to the sounds coming from behind as eyes scanned the valley below. Even from such a distance, she could make out the gutted terracotta roofs of Dale damaged from fire. The city took on an appearance of a ghost town falling to decay. But still, after more than a century, its structure was firm and everlasting.
Moving on, she followed the forest perimeter west of her vision but stopped. Éla backtracked a few kilometers east, locking onto specks of light reflecting under the moon and stars. She straightened, almost alarmed by something so small and barely visible twinkling in the dark. In a blink, whatever it was, was gone. The female remained still in the shadows, holding her breath in hopes of picking up on distant sounds.
She surveyed the landscape yet nothing came into view. She wasn't sure if she was seeing things that weren't there, or if something lurked in the shadows of the trees watching and waiting. Éla was so focused and stiffened to make sure she wasn't losing her sanity that she hadn't heard the hobbit come around the corner of the rock ledge.
"Éla, I brought-" He gently rested a hand on her shoulder but quickly leapt back as the female jumped out of her skin. Once she realized who it was, she immediately calmed.
"For Durin's sake, don't scare me like that." She gasped.
Bilbo looked apologetic. "I didn't mean to. You were so focused, I didn't mean to startle you."
Éla looked out across the valley once more. "I thought I saw something, but it was just my imagination."
Bilbo followed her gaze, but didn't catch anything out of the ordinary. He held out a bowl of food for her to take. "Here. Dinner's ready."
Éla shook her head. "Thank you, but I'm not hungry."
"You have to eat something." He persisted, setting the bowl down next to her.
Bilbo walked away only to return as swift as he left with some food for himself. He took a seat beside the female and began to eat quietly. Éla's poor attempt at ignoring the growl in her stomach did not go unnoticed. Bilbo smiled to himself when she finally picked up the bowl and joined him. He took their bowls and left the female alone once they finished.
Éla had a little remorse for wanting to be left in solitude in the dead of night, but was still grateful for it. She leaned back against the stump to gaze at the stars shining down on them. It wasn't long after when she heard heavy footsteps crunching against rock and pebbles.
"I hope you don't plan on sleeping over here."
Thorin came into view. Éla didn't want to look at him; she was still a little upset with him. The aura of his presence forced her to bend to his will. He hadn't appeared angry or upset, judging by his features. His eyes had instead shown a small degree of worry. Thorin extended his hand, waiting for her to comply. Éla hesitated before taking it and pulling her to her feet.
"I would feel better knowing you are closer to camp." He held her by the shoulders, searching for something as she dropped her head. A wave of emotion washed through her, the same wave of mixed emotions and signals she had felt in Esgaroth. Thorin lifted her chin only to see her eyes glassing over.
"Thorin, I…" Éla tried to find words but she couldn't as her voice lodged itself in her throat. She wanted to, but couldn't in fear of breaking down.
"You know all I want is for you to be safe."
She nodded, holding herself together. "I know."
He led her back to the center of camp where the dwarves already laid out bedrolls between the rock and boulders.
"Get some sleep." He told her as he left her side to sit next to Dwalin by the doused fire.
Watch was doubled that night for dread of the dragon. Éla curled under her blanket with her back to the two on watch. She didn't want to face anyone but her plan backfired when she saw Kili's outline next to her, fast asleep. Grumbling, she pulled the fabric over her face and shut her eyes from the world.
Over the next few days the dwarves split into small groups to search for the secret door. Bombur, Bifur and Éla were left to watch the ponies. It had turned into an uneventful lengthy period of time and the female grew tired of waiting. The camp was so quiet except for Bifur sharpening his spear that Éla nearly dozed off if not for the first group's return. No one had any luck in finding the entrance.
The following morning, Bilbo looked over the map again and again. Thorin was getting more stressed as the days went by without any findings. Éla tended to dishes after breakfast and cleaning up.
"I hoped Thorin wouldn't have been so uptight with you here."
Kili leaned against a boulder, examining his sword with no interest. Fili and Balin wandered next to the young dwarf.
"Why's that?" Éla chuckled.
Kili looked at her cheekily. "You gave us a break from his wrath."
"He's your uncle and leader. If I had to deal with your antics on a constant basis, I would lose my head too." Éla said sarcastically.
The boys exchanged brotherly signals and Kili straightened to appear as serious as one could. "Éla, can we ask a favour?"
She instantly suspected foul play. "You may ask, but I cannot spare any promises."
"When the dragon's killed and we all survive this quest, will we be able to come to you when Thorin comes down on us?"
"That is…a lot to ask." They received a surprised laugh from the female, a trait that had become sparse since their arrival at the mountain. She couldn't believe what she was hearing while Balin took some amusement out of it.
"Why do you want – what did you do?" Éla eyed them suspiciously, half expecting for Thorin or someone else to storm towards them.
Balin glanced over his shoulder and left his spot. "Not what they did, but what they haven't done yet." He noted in passing.
"Fili, Kili!"
Thorin hollered for his nephews, whom obliged to the call. After a brief discussion, Bilbo returned the map to Thorin and he, Fili, and Kili wandered towards the mountains southern corner, away from camp. Éla watched the group leave, then back to Thorin. He was in deep discussion with Balin when the older dwarf waved Éla to join them.
"Balin will take you to search one of the paths for the door." Thorin indicated. "Fili and Kili took Bilbo to the southern wall, so we'll continue over here."
Éla studied him cautiously, unsure if this was a test. "You're allowing me to go?"
"Yes, so long as you're both back by nightfall." He said blankly. "It's your choice."
"Alright, we're off." Balin grabbed his weapon and started for the easiest path up the mountain.
Thorin took the moment to grab Éla's arm, pulling her close so he could whisper in her ear. "Be careful."
It was genuine and she cupped his face with her free hand, returning the honesty. "I will, and thank you."
He watched them disappear amidst the rocks. When they were a fair ways from camp, Éla couldn't help but wonder what Balin had said to convince Thorin to allow her into a search party. The dwarves stumbled in silence, careful of their footing as the rocky terrain quickly ran out of mobile ledges for maneuvering. In one final turn, they reached a dead-end after only a few hours. Balin decided it was time for a break before heading back to the group.
"Is everything alright, lass?"
Éla was slightly taken aback by his sudden onset of questioning. "What do you mean?"
"Between you and Thorin. I don't mean to pry in private matters of others, I'm just making sure you're mutually alright."
"Everything's fine, it's just…" She didn't know what to say.
Balin gave her a chance to finish though she went silent, completely at a loss.
"You two share an interesting dynamic when it comes to showing emotions, to say the least." The dwarf specified upon countless observations on his own accord. Éla shifted uneasily, not that she should've felt so. "I haven't seen Thorin so happy since the birth of his nephews. Help me to understand why you are pushing him away. I've seen the fear in your eyes."
"I don't fear Thorin." She clarified. Balin did make it clear that it was Éla doing the pushing this time around. She hadn't really noticed, or understood her own reasoning for it until now. "I fear that I will be forgotten. Perhaps I've been trying to protect myself from the truth this whole time."
"If I may ask, what exactly are you protecting yourself from?"
"If he becomes king, what will happen to me?"
Balin considered the unlikely question. Had she not seen what her future held with Thorin? "You will be his wife: our queen, as law dictates."
"The feelings he has shown me, the words he has said; am I not a distraction from what he truly desires?" Éla didn't know what to believe anymore. She was worried about her part in Thorin's life knowing their journey was coming to an end very, very soon. He wanted nothing more than to reclaim Erebor and the throne. Would their love dwindle over time, or would it hold true as strong as stone? As much as Éla wanted the horrid beast slain, not knowing what would happen next scared her. It could easily be predicted, but still lingered and indefinite.
"How you opened his heart in six months, let alone a fortnight, is beyond me yet a feat no one has accomplished to date. Including his sister." Balin went on to explain as a matter-of-fact. "Thorin is under a lot of stress as it is, we all are."
The dwarf walked over, peering at her with such caring eyes and warm features. "He would not be so foolish to you after all you've been through. Come, the Sun is beginning to set so it's best we make our way back before there's no light to guide us down."
As Balin and Éla arrived at camp unscathed and tired, Fili and Kili came into view, Bilbo sandwiched between them with excitement. The dwarves gathered around eagerly wanting to hear why the younger was so happy. Fili stepped forward, a wide grin plastered on his face as he tried to remain dignified.
"You won't believe what we found."
Hope you enjoyed this update; a little more insight into why Éla's always been conflicted when interacting with Thorin. It's one of many factors that come into play.
Fun fact: I tend to write backwards, meaning I'll think/write a few scenes in the near future to help set a layout for the next chapter. So I've actually started on the Bo5A to help with Ch26. :)