Disclaimer: Anything you recognize is not my own, yadda yadda yadda. I'm not making any money off of this. (Though I wish I could.)
Dinner broke up after the display of welcome. Our companions said their good nights and headed off to wherever, and I was a little jealous. I felt drained, though I knew we still had one other task to accomplish tonight before I could crash. I highly doubt the elves would be very happy if I delayed their departure back home because of my silly human needs. Sleep, who needed it anyways?
As Thorin and I walked out of the hall, the last to leave, I felt something begin to niggle at the back of my head. I should have felt happy about the dinner. Should have been content, or relieved, with the way it had ended. But something about it was bothering me. It had been.. too neat. Particularly after the drama with Stonefist.
"Tayla, my heart, is there something the matter?" Thorin asked, pausing to look back at me. I had not realized I had slowed my walk so. He was a few paces in front of me. I met his eyes.
"That was staged," The words left my mouth before I could stop them and the second I said it, I realized it was true. The first to stand in support, minus Dain of course, were all young dwarves that I had fought near, or who I had already sort of befriended. What were the odds that, of the who knows how many dwarves here, they would be in that hall, sitting so strategically placed?
Thorin let out a long breath and took a few steps toward me to close the distance.
"So, was it just a confidence boost? Because that would be a little too close to lying for my taste. I can handle people not liking me. But whatever that was, was a joke."
"I did not know it was organized, so, my love." Thorin started. He reached up to push hair out of my face and settled his hand under my cheek. "But I promise you, it was not a lie. It was strategy, yes, but less for your sake than to secure some… allies."
My confusion must have shown on my face because he took another breath.
"Words travel quickly and Uskal's…" He faltered for a word and, dropping his hand from my face, waved it back and forth.
"…Temper tantrum?" I asked and his brow quirked upwards, a small smirk appearing on his lips.
"That would be an accurate description, I suppose. Discontent has been sewn and those who were in the meeting hall this morning will no doubt be harboring their own misgivings. Whilst I did not know walking into dinner this eve what had been planned, I understood once I addressed the crowd."
He paused and glanced around.
"Come. The hour grows late and we must tend to our fussy pointed-eared guests 'ere they grow too impatient. I will explain as we go and hope that you do not take to heart that which was not meant to offer insult."
I huffed my assent. He took my hand, lifted it to his lips to kiss the back of it, then weaved his fingers into mine. We began to walk again, silent for a few moments, simply watching the comings and goings of those around us. Lamps flickered and lent a soft glow to the walls while voices echoed softly off of the stone. It was such a stark contrast to just a few weeks before that it didn't even feel like the same place.
"I knew Dain and Dis had been making inquiries. They sent their most trusted friends and advisors to mingle with the newcomers, attempting to garner just how deep the seed of malcontent had taken root. We were already aware of those who were staunchly in support of us. They made themselves known. What we needed to do, was to ensure that those whos minds had not yet been made up were turned to our favor.
"Mixed in with those who had thrown their support in with us were those that were as of yet unsure. They were the heads of families that had once been adherents, or those who we knew would be easily swayed. With Dain at the head of the charge, so to speak, and with just enough supporters taking up his call, it made the rest more amenable to taking a side."
"Huh," Is all I managed. It was… sneaky and slightly manipulative and sort of genius. I was impressed. Thorin gave a quite chuckle.
"We may be boisterous and very… forceful in our opinions. But we can be just as shrewd as the elves, my heart.
"I guess I was too quick to judge," I said. "I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting so much... subterfuge."
He squeezed my hand lightly and came to a stop. There was a doorway before us, two guards on each side.
"A second time you have apologized. Twice blessed I must be!" He gave me one of his heart-melting smiles and I laughed outright.
"Ass," I grumbled. His smile widened, but he did not comment. Instead, he nodded to the guards and led me through the entryway.
It was a small antechamber, its walls lined with mostly empty bookshelves. To the right was a large set of double doors. In the center was a simple wood desk, a large ornate wooden box resting on its surface. I glanced at Thorin, and he nodded his head.
I walked towards it, reaching out hesitantly to run my fingers over the smooth finish. The carvings were dwarvish, but softer somehow. Less… angular and harsh looking. I recognized the work.
"Ori designed this," I said softly. Thorin hummed in agreement.
Slowly I flipped the small silver clasp that held the lid shut and lifted it to reveal its contents. Gems of starlight, seeming to emit their own glow, lay on a blanket of red fabric. The soft flickering flames from the scones on the walls caught on the facets of the gems as soon as the lid opened the rest of the way and immediately, the room was awash in a glittering light. It was as though someone had thrown stardust into the room and every color of the rainbow glistened from the walls in pinpoints of light.
It took me a moment to recognize that they formed a shape. The largest tear drop shaped gem sat in the center, were the hallow of the throat would be. From there, they branched outwards and upwards. The chain was braided delicately to imitate a vine and gems were set in intervals to mimic leaves. It was truly breathtaking.
"It is beautiful," I said softly.
"Indeed," Said Thorin, coming up behind me. "Its equal is yet to be seen."
"He must miss his wife terribly," I reached out to run my finger over the largest gem but dropped my hand. I couldn't bring myself to touch it. I felt like I would taint it somehow.
Thorin didn't reply. Instead, he ran a soothing hand down my back as I felt something trickle down my face. Tears. I had not even realized I was crying. I cleared my throat and wiped them away with the back of my hand.
"Well. Lets get this over with, yeah?" I asked. "And then… I want to go to sleep. For like… a week."
"Only a week?" He asked, eyebrow raised.
"Well. Maybe a month."
He shook his head and reached out to close the lid of the box. He slid it towards me, and I looked at him flatly.
"Uh-uh. No." I pushed it back to him.
"You have the better relationship with the elves," He made an attempt to push it back towards me again, but I put my hand over his.
"That's why it needs to be you," I said. "It costs me nothing to hand these over. I could toss it to them and say, peace out bitches, and everything would be peachy-keen. But it's a feud that started with your family. It needs to end with you."
"It should not matter who gives the gems." Thorin started, brows furrowed now in irritation.
"You know better than that." I crossed my arms and watched him. "The gesture is symbolic."
He huffed and grabbed the box, tucking it under his arm.
"As you will," He answered. He let out a long breath. "Guards,"
Two of the guards came through the door. Thorin tilted his head towards the door and they immediately walked to it. Thorin straightened himself, nodded towards me, and gestured for me to follow him. The guards opened the doors and we stepped through, side by side.
A handful of elves were waiting within the second room. It was much larger then the first and had obviously been recently repaired and cleaned. It was practically spotless, with all new furniture and décor. Even some live plants had been brought in and tucked into corners. No doubt Bilbo had had a say in that. The elves had been sitting around the large fire place that was set off to the side of the room, but they stood once the doors opened.
"Thorin-King," The head of the guard said, inclining his head and touching his brow lightly. Hazel eyes met my own. "Lady Tayla,"
Thorin offered a sort of bow and glanced at me briefly, eyes expectant. Ah. Crap. He expected me to remember the elf's name. I had been formally introduced once. He had said his name once. Oh boy.
"Olion," I said, hoping to hell that it was the right name and that I didn't butcher the pronunciation too much. Did he have a title? Did guards get titles? "Mae govannen."
He blinked at me and raised his eyebrows. The other elves gathered smiled and I wondered if I had somehow accidently insulted him. Thorin gave me a sidelong glance.
"Well met, indeed," He said after a pause. "I did not realize you spoke Sindarin."
"Honestly, that's near the extent of my knowledge," I said with a laugh. "Mithrandir said my pronunciation was terrible."
Olion laughed at that and his face lit up as a smile played across his lips. Thorin cleared his throat quietly and I tried not to roll my eyes.
"I believe we have business to attend. I am sure you all are eager to get back home," I hoped that was diplomatic enough. I had a feeling Thorin had had about enough of diplomacy today.
"The white gems of Lasgalen." Thorin said, stepping forward. With a small flourish, he presented the box and held it out. Olion reached forward and unclasped the latch, swinging the lid upwards. Once again, the room was bathed in rainbow-hued starlight. Small gasps and sighs of appreciate left the mouths of the elves gathered. Olion closed the lid slowly. He flicked the clasp back in place and gently, reverently, plucked the offered box from Thorins hands.
Olion offered a true bow this time. His free hand was a fist over his heart as he bent forward, lowering his eyes. The other elves followed suit.
"We hold your oath fulfilled, Thorin, son of Thrain. May we now begin to rekindle the friendship our people once had," Olion said, sincere. He stood up once more. "If the hour has not grown too late, and if you are not too weary from travel, I would extend an offer to drink with us. We have brought a small barrel of wine and are glad to share."
"I look forward to once again prospering alongside the elves of the woodland realm." Thorin said, again inclining his head forward. The movement was smoother and less stilted than the first time. Be still, my heart. "Your offer is generous, but my lady is still recovering, and we have to lay to rest a member of our company on the morrow."
"I offer my heart-felt condolences to the loss of one of your own," Olion said. "We will be taking leave in the early morn, as our king impressed upon us his desire for haste. I bid you a good evening and a farewell."
The remaining elves murmured their farewells and good nights and we turned to take our leave. Once we were clear of the room and had made a fair bit of progress towards our room, I nudged Thorin with my shoulder.
"Was that so bad?" I asked, blinking my eyes innocently at me. I had to suppress a smirk.
"Yes." He said. "Awful."
He shook his head and when I laughed, he joined me.
