Police sirens zoomed down my street as I was re-watching An Unexpected Journey. It was in sync with Bilbo preparing his fish and getting the door. It faded once Dwalin said "At your service." It was so fitting at the time, I couldn't control my laughter.
Miss Impatient, your name perceives you! ;)
Yes, the wait can be grueling at times, but I can only work on so much between life's responsibilities. Each and every comment by everyone is noticed and taken to heart. You all are so wonderful for waiting. It makes me anxious to get chapters out as soon as I can! I'm trying to get back into more frequent updates very, very soon!
So…I've been really, truly wondering about Thorin. Let's find out together!
These corridors were strange to Élarinya.
Never had she dreamt of walking down such regal halls in her lifetime, what remained of it at the least. As a child, she vaguely remembered stories of old from her father and all the places he had access to on his patrols. They were always filled with beauty and wonder. A fitting tale for two young dwarflings with earnest imaginations.
But this time there were no stories to embellish with praise and light. Candlelight mocked her shadow into a deformity which crept over each crack and crevice on the walls. It was all a prelude as a means to an end.
Pity. That's all anyone had ever shown too; pity on her, the wounded, the dead, everyone. The few who knew her little secret hung their heads low in passing, avoiding eye contact while those who were unaware gruffed about their business, ignoring the female entirely.
To hear her steps echo over these sad, empty walls sent a ghostly chill crawling under her skin. A thought strayed her mind and she pondered not only her future in the mountain, but those of her companions. As quickly as it came, it vanished within the fading resonance of her footsteps until there was nothing left to hear but a dead silence.
But no more of that. She was here now and Dwalin stood guard at the other end in his seemingly usual spot. Fili's overwhelming concern and frustration led her to finally see the one she'd been avoiding on purpose. Within her heart, it terrified her to see what was beyond this door, but she needed some form of closure, relief. Carrying such a heavy burden was of no help to anyone. Maybe, just maybe she would feel better, even if it was a fraction of an eighth her mind conjured in that moment.
Éla exhaled slowly as she faced the avoided door before reaching out for the metal handle. Its smooth surface was cool to the touch. Slowly and quietly the knob unclicked from its hinge leading her into a dark abyss. She slithered through the space she had made, hugging the door frame as she closed it behind her.
As keen eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, sharp hearing caught the crackling of a dying fire. The room was a lot warmer and more welcoming than from outside, easing any last trace of doubt to double back through the door.
Éla peered over a corner that had been blocking her view from the wide space of the room. Immediate to her right was the fireplace she had detected. To the left, a dwarf rested in the center of a marvelous four-poster bed crafted from oak. As she inched closer, every detail became more prominent. The spiraling columns had been stained a deep brown once, but time had faded all vibrant color remaining. Although, the firelight brightened the reds and gold stitching on the covers. She would have to return another time during daylight to see the finer details and patterns barely visible to her now.
From such fine new things to see, Éla found a glint of courage to finally lay eyes on the dwarf resting peacefully before her.
With a careful hand, she moved a stray strand of hair from Thorin's face, then moved to check the temperature on his forehead with the back of her hand in one fluid motion as any mother would. It brought some comfort in knowing he hadn't been freezing to death, nor did he have to endure post-battle fever from his wounds.
On a second thought, some things were too early to tell.
From her touch, the dwarf king shifted in his sleep, leaning into her palm as she moved away. Éla's heart began to pound in her chest, afraid yet anxious that she might have woken him. Part of her still wasn't ready to make conversation.
"Éla…" Thorin muttered her name so low, she barely heard it above her beating heart. Lids opened meagrely to the darkened room, settling on her shadowy silhouette. Her face slowly came into focus, the light detailing long tresses in a golden glow. "My eyes deceive me."
He closed them, not wanting to take another look. There was no strength to do much else, let alone believe an apparition of someone he knew was not, could not, truly be there.
A cord tugged on Éla's heart. Could be not see it was her? "No, they do not."
"Perhaps this is the end." Thorin mumbled to himself between deep inhalations, his speech slow. "My punishment…for all the wrong doings I've caused."
"Do not say those things Thorin."
The dwarf reopened his eyes with what little strength he could muster and gave in as a warm hand guided his face to one side. There was no mistaken what he felt. Cold blue eyes focused on the female's weary visage, his brow furrowed as he further concentrated on her familiarity. He knew her face. Her name.
"Éla."
Then it hit like a stone hammer to the gut; he was undeserving of her presence. The dwarf recalled fragments of what had happened but it rapidly became an internal battle of wits. As hard as he tried, there was no vigour to replenish lost time after Erebor's reclamation.
"How bad is it?" She went to lift the covers from his chest only to be stopped in her curiosity.
Thorin fought for breath to speak while an undying hand snatched hers away from the fabric. "No."
With a shaking hand, Thorin reached up as fingers barely brushed across her cheek before the weight fell next to his side. Éla took his fallen hand in hers, leaning over with worry as he closed exhausted eyes.
"He still lives."
Éla jumped to attention as another had discreetly entered without notice. A dwarf stepped into the light, illuminating harsh shadows onto his face as if he were death itself. There was no recognition within his gloomy features as grey eyes pierced through her like a spear. This was an intimidation she had never been subjected to before. But everyone was an ally within the mountain, so she would not render judgement unless prompted.
"Have we met?" Éla asked coolly. She doubted her question would receive an affirmative response. When did he arrive?
"No." The dwarf scuffled across the room, encircling the other side of Thorin's chamber. "We have not until this day."
Éla straightened, cocking a brow questionably. "How did you pass the guards, if I may ask? Only his closest kin have authorization, as does Lord Dain and his council."
A wicked gleam sparked behind the dwarf's steady glare. His focus momentarily switched to Thorin, before casually tilting his head back to the female.
"A council member does not require authorization to speak with his king. Although my intent shall be placed on hold since you tired him from important matters."
The dwarf turned leisurely towards the fire, closing in on their distance. Éla never moved from her spot, only clasping her hands together and waiting patiently as she rattled her brain for any memory of this individual. He was unknown to her and she began to panic internally if what he said was true.
The light of the flames danced over his armor, the faint crackling breaking the silence until he spoke again, facing her more directly. "Your presence; however, is questionable."
Something snapped within her and Éla instinctively addressed the dwarf from long years of unused practice. "Lord?"
She regretted her lack for better words as the dwarf's beady eyes narrowed in a scrutinizing decree. There was something empowering about him that she could not piece together. This was no chance meeting, his gaze told her that much.
"Lord Falo, of the Iron Hills – previous chief councilor of Erebor to King Thror." He said nobly. There was arrogance within his response as he tilted his chin up, introducing himself with regal intent.
The crest of the Iron Hills adorned on his clothing signaled some truth. Éla had noticed it on many other dwarves aiding around the mountain after the battle.
Falo grew impatient as the female did nothing but stare at his features with utmost caution and curiosity. It amused yet annoyed him. "How unwise of you to show little respect towards a council member? Have you no reverence?"
"My apologies." The female bowed low, suddenly regretting her lack of manners entirely. Formalities had no longer been mandatory during their quest, but now she realized customs were in strong need of renewal. "Élarinya, of Ered Luin, and Durin's Folk."
Éla never broke their heated gaze even when she was being judged. Falo grumbled and broke contact, refusing to look at the female any longer.
"It is advisable that you keep your distance from this chamber until otherwise told. Is that understood?" The corners of his mouth curled in a cruel way as he listened to her taking leave only to pause at his request.
Éla's chest felt denser, each breath becoming heavier than the last. What did he know that she didn't? There was no room for argument, only to hold one's tongue. "Yes…my lord."
Satisfied, Falo assumed position in a chair by the king's side once she disappeared from sight, adamant to wait until Thorin woke again.
"My king," he took out his pipe and a small sachet, filling it near the brim with pipe-weed before lighting it. "Many changes will soon be underway. In a few weeks' time, others will arrive to set this mountain straight. There are a few…expendables that need to be disposed of."
Falo inhaled a long puff, exhaling through his nose. A conniving smile stretched across his face as he watched the calm rise and fall of his king's chest. "I promise your rule will have no interferences."
Hmm, what's Falo up to I wonder? He certainly tried to put Éla in her place, but how will she react to scheming developments to come? I try not to disappoint with cliffhangers, but there's a few curve-balls I'll be throwing your way as readers soon enough, hehe.
It's not noticeable, but there's also a hint in this chapter to what will become a major plot twist. I could also start acknowledging every comment author in writing. Either way, your reviews fuel my imagination!
ArkenstoneBeauty shared an interesting link on Tumblr about fanfiction authors. I reblogged the post to my page for you to have a good laugh, because it's so true:
-Tumblr link in my profile