I wasn't exactly expecting a backlash for Dain, but he does come off as an unfriendly being, doesn't he? The past week has been messed up for me – losing what I wrote from a power surge. Thanks again for waiting because the wait's over :)
Fili was overwhelmed.
The young prince had been on edge, unable to visit his unconscious brother except at nights, and now having to deal with a new arrival who carried an agitated aura which cleared a path anywhere he went. As calm and collected as one appeared, he wished he could slam the doors so none had to deal with the political aspects of the mountain's restoration.
Fili waited patiently with Balin in a common room as requested by Dain. The older dwarf appeared restless by the news: Falo and a minor, joint council had arrived from the Iron Hills. They were ahead of schedule, and Fili could only speculate how much information Dain had shared with these nobles. His hands rested firmly in his lap, out of sight, out of grasp to his inner demons waiting to be released. It was only a matter of time until they found out about Éla.
He knew Balin had hoped they would have had more time to prepare, but plans were always changing right down to the last slice of bread portioned in the kitchens below. And the snow had begun to stick to the ground, signaling winter's fast approach.
"In here."
Fili rose from his seat a little startled as the door opened. A quiet grunt escaped him from a wound to his healing leg. Balin patted him on the shoulder as he moved to position himself partially between the young prince and the dwarves filing into the room. "You don't have to stand, laddie."
As much as he didn't want to, Fili had a sense of empowerment to do so. If anything, he needed to prove himself to everyone that Thorin did not fail them in his training as heir. He would uphold his uncle's status as best he could, starting with these folk. It wasn't that he wanted to, he needed to.
Balin put on a smile, welcoming the dwarves as each settled around them in a semi-circle. "Friends of old, Lord Dain," he caught an uneasy look from the dwarf lord. Something was up. "We kindly welcome you all to Erebor."
"As you may already be aware, Thorin is unable to be in attendance." He stepped aside so they had a clearer view of Fili. "Our young prince Fili, will be under temporary governance until necessary arrangements have been made with the king."
"An odd place to hold a meeting." One dwarf noted. The room was smaller than its larger counterparts in other areas. Here, there were only chairs and side-tables dusted from vacancy. Its uses were better put for lounging than holding a meeting.
"As you may recall, the dragon damaged and destroyed most of the main halls and meeting rooms." Balin said. "This will have to suffice until we can find a proper substitute."
Fili scanned the dwarves wearing heavy armor hidden under winter attire. Their bulky forms would shame Dwalin's natural robustness if he were present. He wondered if dwarves from the other houses were just as different from Durin's Folk residing in Ered Luin. Even the locals who had lived in the Blue Mountains long before their arrival, held different values and portrayed different characteristics. Looking back, Fili even gradually recognized the different demeanors between his mother and uncle.
Dain listened quietly, standing a little further back with eyes to the ground. A dwarf with a long grey beard, braided into three sections then joined into one, moved forward and then paced the length of all present members, arms joined behind him.
There was something off about this individual which Fili couldn't put a finger to. His beard was impressive though. He'd never laid eyes on one so long before. It looked rather silly to the prince, seeing an elder's beard tucked into his belt as if it were a handkerchief. The dwarf had certainly aged well, he'd give him that. The roots of his hair were already turning white, his attire adorning the symbol representing the Iron Hills.
The dwarf paused when he came to Fili, dissecting the young prince visually.
"This is the heir?" The dwarf casually encircled him, examining every square inch possible. Fili never flinched as he was being inwardly judged. When the dwarf completed the round, their gazes met, the younger holding it without a second blink of an eye.
A crooked smile parted his mouth. "You have your mother's eyes, Master Fili. Relax. You are among kin."
Fili blinked rapidly, surprised and curious by the remark. The dwarf dismissed the stare down then faced their proclaimed adviso.
"Fili, this is Falo – one of five members of the king's council." Balin introduced. "The others you've met in Ered Luin."
The young heir bowed slightly, deciding not to break eye contact even if it was the respectable thing to do.
"Balin, tell me, where is this female companion of yours?" Falo asked peculiarly. It was not mistaken through his gruff voice, the high interest with this case. "I was informed upon my arrival that there has been an incident of sorts."
"What is it you would like to know?" Balin kept cool, suspecting an impudent break-out to occur.
"Judging by the secrecy surrounding her, and your reactions to her mentioning." He rested keen eyes on the two. "Something does not add up. Last we heard, thirteen dwarves set out to reclaim the mountain, not fourteen."
Falo turned his back to them. "I want to know what you know."
Snowflakes fell steadily outside and every so often, one or two would glide into the window panel then disappear after a couple seconds – the heat from the hearth radiating throughout the room, warming everything it touched.
"Alright, on yer feet."
Éla slid off the edge of the bed, planting her feet firmly on the ground with a victorious smirk. "I can assure you, Master Oin, my walking capabilities has not faltered."
"You can never be too careful."
Oin waved a hand for her to step forward carefully. She did so without protest, assuming that once the healer realized she was more than capable, he would be satisfied to move on to more dire patients.
It had taken several days before Oin gave Éla permission to leave the four walls of her room along with the liberty to walk short distances.
"Don't want yer to pull something." He had told her. Always, Oin would monitor her and when he couldn't, someone else replaced his eyes and ears.
The previous night she'd tried to leave, only to find her door had been guarded by an unnamed dwarf she'd never seen before. Henceforth, she never it tried again.
During that time alone thoughts often wandered astray, coaxing her into a false realm of confinement. Every hour passed longer than the last. Rumor had begun to spread throughout the halls that Thorin had indeed, survived. Although the extent of his injuries were a mystery to Éla. None spoke of him as they visited her, and she was too caught up in emotion to ask.
A week had passed since they moved into the mountain, and she has long since been ready for a change of scenery. While grateful for the needed rest, she'd been bed-ridden for far too long.
Shuffling feet alerted Éla to new visitors as eyes fluttered open. Her body still ached with exhaustion as she forced herself to sit up.
"Good afternoon!"
The female could not help but smile as three companions allowed themselves into her temporary chambers.
"You're awake, that's good to see!" Bofur exclaimed softly as he knelt by her side, placing a tray of food on the nightstand.
"And you're as cheerful as ever."
Bofur returned a signature smirk. "Aye, and you must be hungry."
"I'd rather have the liberty to move freely." She responded with a warming smile.
"No, no, the green one."
Heads turned in the direction of bickering by the door. Dori fussed over his youngest brother swamped with fabric nestled in his arms. After a short quarrel with the small pile, Dori managed to free a bundle of fabric to his liking.
"Don't mind them." Bofur suggested. "They'd gone on a search for new clothes for ya."
"That we did Miss Éla." Dori confirmed with the scribe at his heels, juggling the weight in his arms.
Éla gazed at them with curiosity and a partially dazed sight. Ori gently set the rest of the pile down on a chair as his brother laid out the garment on the foot of her bed. The three remained silent, anticipating her reaction.
"It's a dress." She said confused. Her mind was a bit slow to catch on.
"Aye, a simple emerald green." Dori confirmed, pleased with his choice in colour.
She stared at it a little longer. There was no need for a fine piece of clothing such as this, and there certainly was no occasion worth celebrating for her to adorn such attire. Her confusion only heightened. "Thank you."
The three left her alone, Bofur trailing behind. "Oh, there's also a warm bath started for ye."
Sneaky mischief-makers. Éla swung her legs over the side of the bed as the door clicked shut, landing on cool stone. She couldn't recall the last time she'd had a bath after they departed Esgaroth. Another privilege long overdue. She broke off a chunk of cheese and bread from the plate that was brought to her and shoved it in her mouth, chewing slowly as she became more aware of her surroundings.
Bofur was right, a bath had been prepped for her as she entered the lavatory. The warm, humid air coated her skin and lungs as she inhaled deeply. Cautiously, hands tossed the linens she'd worn aside. Her sole ambition now was to get in the large basin. One foot first then the other, a sigh escaped parted lips as the warmth from the water relaxed battle-worn muscles. It certainly brought a peace of mind.
Next, Éla held onto the edges and slid the rest of her body in. A whimper escaped as her body froze still. She'd forgotten about her wounds, only for a sharp pain to protest the warm contact into a burning sensation. Éla shut her eyes tight, concentrating on the soothing aroma of soapy herbs. She remained still for a short while longer until all ill sensations subsided enough for her to relax.
Making quick work, she washed and dried herself, taking care for wounds, and then changing into the dress laid out for her. The material was light, which she was grateful for, and easy to maneuver into. Hands straightened out the bends and ruffles within the fabric, pausing as one brushed over her abdomen.
Objectively, there was nothing wrong. She looked completely ordinary, a normal female dwarf ready to tackle the day's activities. Why did she feel such devastation and hurt so suddenly? Was it all a dream?
No, they were in the mountain. The fight was won, but at what cost? Éla backed up until she was able to sit on the edge of the bed. Gazing around the beautifully decorated room untouched by time, eyes began to swell, glassing over. She'd forgotten about her little secret that so many knew. Shock and confusion continued to dominate her feelings. It was turning into a toxic grief which permanently settled in the pit of her stomach. If only she could turn away and forget entirely.
What needed to be done was for her to constrain her emotions. As far as one was concerned, Thorin had no knowledge of what had happened. She wasn't even certain if he knew she was still alive.
"Aule, what have I done…"
Éla wiped her eyes dry before the tears had an opportunity to stain her cheeks. With new rejuvenated determination, she stepped foot out her door and wandered out into the open halls.
"His judgement is biased. The prince knows nothing of our laws."
"Fili has as much wisdom and courage as one could muster during such times. The lad is more than capable to hold such a counsel just as Thorin would." Balin reminded in earnest. The meeting had dragged on far longer than they had anticipated. Each time a new topic began, their dealings always reverted back to Éla. Balin feared they would be overruled if Dain's council saw it fitting. He'd done his part, yet there was no persuading the eldest counsellor.
"Then what of the female? Élarinya, was it?" A dwarf asked.
Falo was stubborn as his loyalties were true. The dwarves broke out in disagreement once more, leaving Balin to throw his arms up in the air. He just about had it with these mindless fools.
Fili slammed his fist on the table, receiving immediate undivided attention. An idea sprung within his mind as his elders looked upon him with distaste. "How long will it take the others to arrive from the Blue Mountains?"
The question caught them off guard as they mumbled amongst each other.
"Ten weeks depending on the weather." Dain answered to their surprise.
Fili took a breath, satisfied that he was finally in some control. He poised himself regally, inflicting minor superiority among those present. "Instead of arguing over the fate of one dwarf, may I suggest we divert all attention to more pressing issues, like food supply for winter? Or what of securing the mountain as well? I'm sure this matter can wait until the rest of the council arrives safely?"
The dwarves looked to Falo and Dain. Balin stood proud as they considered the young heir's request.
Falo surveyed all eyes on him. With a sigh, he thought it best to play their game, for now…
"So be it."
Well there you have it! (Part of it at the least.) I know you've all been wondering about Thorin. Don't worry, you'll have your answer in either the next or the one after!