Hey everyone. So I'm gonna need a little time again because this week…I'm going to Texas! Then I'm moving to Texas…Phew. Yeah it's gonna be busy, but I could actually use your help. I've never been to Texas and I could use some help/advice. I'm looking in the south western section of Houston – kind of Bellaire area, maybe Pearland.
Also Happy Memorial Day to all! Whether you've been in the service, know someone in the service, or just appreciate all brave men and women over the globe – thank you! Have a great weekend everyone! And for those of you in Europe and the US stay extra safe this weekend please!
Anyway! Thank you to everyone who favorited and followed! And a special thank you for your reviews. Every kind word is appreciated – and constructive criticism is welcome.
angel897, (Guest) Lauthica Green Clinkenbeard, FireDancerNix, Selyne Nightshade, CrytsalVixen93, Sparky She-Demon – Thank you for the kind words and I hope you like this part!
Chica90 - Thank you! I love making up OCs, but I know that it can be hard to make one that others feel is believable without being an absolute Mary Sue. As for her story I kind of wanted someone who could relate to Thorin on the deeper levels of what he has been through, but still have enough youth and caring for her to be approachable. And an update – I've read both "From Hell" and "Stirring of the Leaves" now, both will be on the next recommendation list.
kdm956 – Thank you for the wishes. So far you, Chica, and Nix are the only ones who have mentioned it and I do appreciate a kind word so thank you again. This chapter is for you, Chica, and Nix!
djmegamouth – I'm glad you like her!
I've decided to do a story recommendations corner for my lovely friends here on FF. Since you're here for Thorin/OC I will only recommend those unless otherwise requested. I have a few good Fili, Kili, and Dwalin ones on file. I really wish there were more Bilbo/OC, but meh. I will do two incomplete so you can follow along with the journey and one complete for those who are impatient = (Me…Most days…)
Jayne DLM: The Drakk Kazhunki. *Complete*
WantedWild: After the War. *Incomplete: Updated: 04/22/17
SwanInProgress: The Loudest Silence. *Incomplete: Updated: 05/13/17
I suddenly become aware that I am entrapped in the unending darkness of my own unconscious form. Despite that I have yet to wake, I am finally beginning to feel once more. There is a heavy weight upon my chest, as though someone is sitting on it. My limbs ache painfully and throb like an infected wound. It's the blade magic. Years of experience are telling me the destructive magic is still ravaging my body, even in sleep. I should be grateful though; at least there are still arms to be felt. My arms would be gone by now if the magic had finished its work.
When I finally have the strength to open my eyes all I can see is the blue sky. When I turn my head I can see there are some white clouds in the distance, sitting on the tops of mountains. There is a forest some leagues away in the same direction. It looks dark and ancient, but it is not like the evil of Mirkwood.
A memory comes rushing to me; I know this place. Those are the Misty Mountains and that is Fangorn Forest. I came here once with Hadrien, just after we left Lothlorien. Hadrien and I called it, "Laithra." It meant forgotten, as no one had marked it on any map or told of it when we stopped in North-torr. As far as we knew, no one else had a name for it so we claimed it for ourselves. Once I sit up properly, I can see the lake directly ahead of me. It glitters in the sunlight as the wind passes over its surface. The shoreline is hidden from view, but I'm lost momentarily in the nostalgia of the location. I remember the early lessons of swimming I had given Hadrien here; I thought it too silly to contemplate that an elf didn't know how to swim. I chuckle a little at the memory…
There is a slight movement just over the hill, facing the lake. I make to move for my sword or the hilts, only to find that there is nothing on my person. I release a huff of frustration that I have no arms to speak of, but as a ranger I'm not completely helpless. I try to listen for further movement or motion when I realize something. I cannot feel the wind; I can see the grass moving in the breeze, but I can't feel it. Cautiously, I run my hand through the blades of grass. My eyes widen as I watch them bend under the pressure, but I can't feel them. There is also no sound, not from the grass or the water.
'Plop!'
The first sound I hear comes loudly from the lakeshore. It isn't really that loud, but in the silence of the world, it startles me and brings me to stand. The sound comes from the same direction that the movement had come from. I crouch slightly, prepared for whatever might come my way…
"I can't quite put my finger on it. It's simple and silly really," says Hadrien as he comes from over the hill. He is running his hand through his short hair, clad in nothing, but his tunic and breeches. My body stills entirely as a smile spreads across his face, "but it is so much fun. Growing up in the confines of the Greenwood the only place we could throw stones were the fountains in the city. They didn't make nearly as much noise." He hadn't changed…not at all…
"Hadrien…?" I ask. It's the only word that can make its way out of my mouth. I have so many questions, but they become stuck in my throat. Emotions overwhelm me entirely – the sorrow and happiness are anticipated; the unadulterated joy is unexpected.
"Throwing the stones into a lake makes bigger ripples and they take longer to settle, before peace resumes. It makes me feel like a wizard!" he says with a laugh and a smirk on his lips.
While this whole situation is completely strange I cannot find it in me to care. This is Hadrien – my Hadrien; everything about him couldn't be more right. Without another thought I take off, running to meet him. I throw my arms open to capture this life-like shade of Hadrien. Then I wrap them around him as if he were a stone in a raging river. When he remains solid I hold him even harder.
I can feel his body warmth; it's full of blood, breath, and life. I can smell the thyme soap and his own natural scent. There is also an underlying scent of pine that has followed him since we left the Greenwood; I believe it follows him eternally. It is an overall strange combination that is worn only by the eccentric elf I have come to know and love as a father. When his hands encircle me and make comforting strokes through my hair, I burst into tears.
"I've missed you so much," I sob loudly. The emotional weight of his death and everything since slams into my body with the force of a cave troll. There is so much I want to say; so many things I need to tell him. I have been without him for so long that all at once I feel so lost. I find myself yearning for his advice, his humor, and his affection. I have needed him for so long and being alone has only made my longing worse.
"It's alright, Thoronen," Hadrien whispers gently into my ear. "I have missed you too. You seem to have aged so much since last we met, but I have only been gone for a short while. Where did the young woman I left behind go?"
My hands clench his tunic harder and shook my head. Burying my face into his shirt with my eyes closed is easier than looking him in the eye. How do I tell him that I had buried that girl with his body? How am I to look at him and tell him that I had left everyone I cared about after his death? I had even abandoned Tauriel. How can I face his disappointment?
His hand in my head leaves my hair to tip up my chin so I can look at him in his bright, green eyes. There is a gentle look in his face lingering between happiness and sadness. I try to turn my face away, ashamed, but he doesn't allow me to budge.
"Oh, Tahna," he murmurs, "Why are you crying, mirer? You shouldn't be so sad. I thought you would be happy to see me?"
"I am!" I burst out. I truly am glad, practically ecstatic; but I feel like I have dishonored him somehow. Tauriel and I are the only ones who know what happened between the three of us. Thranduil had thankfully allowed him to be buried in the Greenwood with his wife, but the only knowledge others have of the incident are either circumstantial or what Tauriel has been willing to share with them. It feels like I have hid his memories from the rest of the world.
"You shouldn't cry, gornilen," Hadrien says. He takes my hands and pulls me back down to the ground so we could sit together. "I know exactly what you're thinking. I know you and I'm an elf so naturally I know everything." A small laugh makes it out passed my lips and his responding smile is beautiful. "You know that I would never be disappointed in you for needing to grieve. I know you haven't forgotten all we talked about, but something has changed in you. You are afraid of something and it is taking leave of your senses. Speak with me, Thoronen. What weights on your young heart?"
It takes a moment to compose myself enough to even form a word. He is patient and as he waits he wipes away the tears falling down my cheeks. "I found Azog," I start – taking a deep breath before beginning again, "but he…he almost killed my friends and I let him get away."
"That fight was hardly 'letting him get away', Tahna," he says. I can feel my eyes widen. He knew? "Mandos may house our souls in his halls, but there are always windows. I have been watching you, dear one. I know that you would have beaten Azog…" He trails off suddenly. His face becomes dark as he touches my neck tenderly. "It was his master that appeared. He knew Azog wouldn't be able to defeat you so the Necromancer made his appearance."
My heart freezes momentarily. The Great Goblin made mention of a Master to the dark creatures of Middle Earth. However, I didn't think there was a dark creature alive with this sort of power. "So that shadow is the one controlling Azog?"
"Yes," he says uncharacteristically solemn.
Only a moment passes, "Did he order the attack on Imelkane?"
"That I do not know."
I nod my head in acquiescence. That knowledge wouldn't change anything. However, it is an odd thought that anything would control the Pale Orc. Azog seems like a force of nature, as though he could be controlled as easily as the wind. The more I think about the Great Goblin's words the more it makes sense. Now that I have come face to face with a greater force of evil I am beginning to see just how fragile this "peaceful time" is. The Necromancer is what Hadrien calls him – I will be sure to remember that.
"What ails you, Tahna? These windows show us what happens in the physical world, but not what is in people's hearts. I knew you once, inside and out, but you have grown and you have changed. Tell me your troubles, iellen. We do not have any in the afterlife and it tends to be terribly boring," he says trying to goad another laugh out of me. It doesn't work, the frown on my face is stuck there; he means well, but his death is still too painful to find it remotely funny.
"Frustration and anger are a part of it. I had him within my grasp, Hadrien. I could have ended it right then and there. I could have avenged my parents, everyone. There was no Shadow when I had him at my mercy, but then I let him go," I say between my clenched teeth. I hold his hands tighter, my head hung in shame.
"At what cost to you? What about your friends? What would have become of them if you continued? You had no choice, Tahna – not without killing a piece of yourself along with them. If you hadn't tried to save your friends they might have fallen to their deaths."
"THEY FELL ANYWAY!" I shout. I give him a hard look, his eyes widening in surprise. A deep self-hatred and fear leaping into my throat, breaking the levee I hold hidden away beneath a mask of collected calm. I always have a plan; I always keep on fighting. Then last night there was nothing; no more plans and I couldn't fight back against the darkness that descended upon us. It would have truly been the end. "THEY FELL AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO, BUT WATCH! I LOST YOU THE SAME WAY! FOR ALL MY POWERS I WAS USELESS! WHAT GOOD ARE THEY IF I CANNOT USE THEM TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE I LOVE?!"
I cry harder now, allowing myself to pour the fear, terror, and sorrow in those tears. We have been lucky and that is all. Luck is what saved us; for me that is not enough. I cannot risk everything the dwarves and Bilbo have become to me on a gamble, on a chance. It's not something I can do – it's not who I am.
"The burning of Imelkane taught me that even the strongest of us can fall into darkness. Azog taught me what evil looks like. I learnt magic to fight that darkness. I learnt how to survive in the wilds to strengthen my resolve against such evil. Then you taught me how to be human again. You showed me where to look for the light, but not how to stop the darkness from taking it away," I end with a whimper. I am holding his hands so tightly now I'm sure that if he were living I would have broken them. When he presses his forehead to mine it feels so much cooler than mine; do I have a fever?
"Sadril, you love so fiercely. You are right they did fall. If the shadow hadn't appeared maybe you would have saved them, maybe you wouldn't have. What if you hadn't been there at all, mirer? What if that shadow had come after them anyway? There is a world of possibilities; of what might have been. But that is not what did happen. You must take what you have been given. They all live and there is no better outcome."
"I just want them to be safe," I say hoarsely.
"Then you have chosen the hardest path in the whole of Arda, iellen," Hadrien says with a sad smile. "You can keep dwarves out of trouble about as well as you can expect a fish to walk. The path will be long and difficult, but do not give up. Darkness can find its way into any heart through our grief. I did my best to be your shield and teach you to fight back against it. As for your dwarves and hobbit – I see them here," he points to my chest where my heart lies. "They stand like pillars of light, shielding you from the blackest night."
"What about Azog? If I want to keep hunting him shouldn't I let them keep going on without me?" I ask. I hardly want to leave them, but I made a promise to both Hadrien and my parents. With Azog chasing Thorin and the others there is no way to separate myself from my mission and their quest. I feel myself well and truly torn. He pulls me into his lap so my back is against his chest and wraps his arms around me like a hug. He kisses the hair on the back of my head. Once he finishes he tucks his face behind my ear – so close that I can feel his breath on my neck.
"Is that truly the path you wish to take? The one thing you have been gifted with is time, Thoronen," he says. "Whether you do kill Azog or you outlive the damn bastard, there will be people in this world who are far more worthy of your time; the dwarves for one. Their love for you is just as real as yours for them. Do you think if you were to come to harm they would stand idle? The devotion of a dwarf is as steadfast as the mountains they live in." He pauses momentarily and proceeds, holding me a little tighter. "It was once said that: 'it is a terrible thing to love something death can touch.' Loss is a part of life dear one, but you cannot live in fear of it. Believe me, if anything being dead has given me perspective on – it is how to live."
"Did you have any regrets; with how you spent your life?" I ask. I don't know why after all this time I still need to hear him tell me that I wasn't a mistake, that he didn't regret his choice in saving me. I already knew the answer, but to hear it brought me such peace.
"None," he smiles. "No matter where you go, Tahna, I will always watch over you. Consider your promises kept, sadril, and never forget that I am proud of you. My love is with you forever, iellen." With those words I realize our time together is coming to an end. I grip the hands holding me, trying to hold him to me for a while longer. I'm not ready for him to leave; we didn't even have the chance to talk about Tauriel…
"I love you too, adar," I say with tears in my voice. I'm not ready to let him go – it's the first time in a while I have been able to talk to someone who just knew everything about me. I can feel his hands becoming lighter and soon he is no longer solid at my back. It makes me cry a little harder and it causes the world around me to blur.
When there is nothing left to cling to I am enveloped in unconsciousness once more. However, this time the darkness doesn't feel nearly as heavy, but the aching pain returns more strongly. My body winces from the soreness and immediately brings about more hurt – I feel stiff, like I haven't moved in ages. I begin to hear voices and warmth surrounding my body. I'm on the cusp of waking and sleep; aware, but not awake. I struggle to open my eyes, but once I finally do all I see is an orange sky and purple clouds. Then a face fills my vision. It is not Hadrien this time, but Fili. His blue eyes are full of worry and his hands gently cup my face.
"Are you with us, namadith?" he asks.
His touch acts as a stark reminder to the fact that he is safe. I had seen him and heard him on the eagle's back, but this feels so much more real. I want to move my arms to touch his hands and let him know I'm alright, but I cannot move my hands. So all I can do is look back at those caring blue eyes and say:
"I am here, nadad."
A smile splits his face and he looks up and away from me to shout, "She's awake!"
Thorin calls the Company to a halt once they find a calm point in the river where they could wash away the filth of their traverse through Goblin Town. It takes a better part of the day to reach this point and Tahna still has not awoken. Dori carried her a majority of the way to their temporary camp. Thorin had tried to take over carrying her at the bottom of the Carrock, but several members of the company refused him. The main argument being that his injuries would worsen his own condition if he tried. So Dori, being the strongest of the dwarrow, took charge of carrying her to their destination.
Thorin first orders a check on their inventory to see how much they lost to the goblins. Aside from the small provisions they keep hidden on their persons, it seems that all they have are their weapons; except for Bombur, who had the wherewithal to collect a small cooking pot, some bowls, and a ladle from their supplies.
Feeling rather anxious about sending anyone too far from the camp, the dwarf lord decides to send out parties of three to collect what they lost. Thorin sends Fili, Kili, and Bofur to hunt. Meanwhile, Oin sees to Thorin and Tahna's wounds, but quickly realizes he would need herbs to prevent the lacerations from becoming infected. With Thorin's approval Oin sends out Nori, Ori, and Bilbo to find what the healer requires. Gloin sets about starting a fire and creates a rack for Bombur's small pot. Bombur has been running back and forth between the stream, the fire, and Oin, maintaining a steady flow of clean water to wipe down their wounds.
Bifur, Dori, and Dwalin are setting up a perimeter and checking the nearby tree line for signs of recent goblin activity. Balin stays with Oin, acting as a second pair of hands. While Oin cleans Thorin's wounds with the boiled water, Balin wipes away the blood that accumulated on Tahna's hands and forehead. Thorin is shirtless, leaning against the rock allowing Oin to wipe away the blood, dirt, and grim. Normally, Thorin would demand to do it himself, but he is far too absorbed in making sure the ranger is still breathing to care. This doesn't escape Balin's notice, but he remains silent with a woeful expression on his face.
Gandalf has taken up a seat near the fire, his focus on the pair of hilts in his hands. The wizard turns them over and over again in his hands. He is amazed at how well this form could hide this much magic. At first glance they are nothing, but elaborate decorations. However, once they are in his hands, he could feel it. There is magic encompassing them. The stone hilt settles in his hand with an almost familiar weight to it. It is heavy, but only in the physical sense. The sensation could be likened to raising a familiar sword or putting on a pair of well-worn boots. The other hilt felt more volatile – as if he were holding a writhing snake in his hands. There is something else about them, as if there is more magic resting dormant on the surface.
"There is magic…All around you…His magic…"
Radagast's words whirl around his head as he looks over to the ranger, curious as to how she came across such magic. She hardly has an air of evil about her, but it can be hard to determine. She may yet be a tool of the Enemy, but he would have no reason attack one of his own; unless she defected perhaps. The wizard watches as Thorin gently touches the fingertips of her damaged hand after Balin finishes his cleansing ministrations. The grey wizard tucks that piece of information away quietly with a quirked eyebrow.
More unexpected events…when he was with the White Council he mentioned the heir of Imelkane in hopes of learning more about her. Elrond found her intriguing, but before her visit he hadn't even been aware of her existence. Saruman didn't appear curious about the ranger at all, despite that he at one time frequently visited Imelkane. However, prior to these events it seems that Galadriel had met her once before. At the mention of the ranger she gave a small smile, but little else.
"The ranger; does she worry you?"
"Not as much as she once did. I was afraid her own motives would make her a danger to the company."
"You have no need to fear from her, Olorin. She will see this venture to the end. She must…for she is chosen."
"Chosen for what?"
"There will come a time when her true purpose will be revealed. You will know then and so will she."
Gandalf is knocked out of his reverie as the dwarves start to return with their respective bounties. Fili and Kili bring their findings over to Bombur; consisting of a couple of rabbits and one wild pheasant. Bofur trails behind them carrying some wild radishes and potatoes, much to Bombur's surprise. While the Ur brothers set to work on the meal, the princes abandon their prizes to take up a vigil beside the golden-eyed ranger. Thorin subtly ceases his gentle touches, but still keeps a sharp eye on the three of them.
Oin finishes with Thorin and joins the others to see what herbs they managed to obtain. As he and Bilbo are sorting through them Kili takes up Oin's cloth, trying to gently clean the wound at her neck. However, when her tunic becomes a barrier he starts trying to take it off to get to the rest of the cut. Before Kili could get far, his uncle's hand covers his own, effectively stopping him.
"What do you think you are doing?" Thorin growls out.
"We need to clean the rest of the cut. I can't get to it unless we take it off. What if she's hurt somewhere else? We can't allow any wounds to fester for proprieties sake," explains the younger son of Dis.
"Then leave the task to Oin. He is our healer and that is his purpose on this quest," says Thorin in a testy tone. Kili opens his mouth, retort resting on his tongue, when Gloin intervenes.
"He's right," adds Gloin in a placating manner. "It is important that her wounds are seen to, but Oin will care for them. There is no need for a young, unmarried dwarrow such as yourself to see to such things."
Kili's face changes like a shadow has fallen over him. Suddenly, he is no longer the playful nephew of a dwarf lord, but an angry and displeased dwarrow. It is an expression eerily familiar to that of Thorin's glowers.
"She is my sister," he states icily. "Whether or not we are bound by ceremony holds no importance. She is not just some woman. She may be part of the Company, but above all else she is my sister and I will care for her as if we were related by blood." Fili gives him a quick slap on the shoulder and a tight look. Kili looks at him and then away to correct himself, "I mean: She is our sister. Oin may tend to her, but we will help in any way we can."
There is a momentary silence in which the Company is entirely stunned. Such a declaration amongst dwarrow is no small thing; especially coming from the heirs of Erebor. If Tahna weren't already under Thorin's protection by contract, she most certainly would be now. The boys have forgone all forms of traditional binding in favor of a bold declaration; it doesn't hold all the weight, but the words themselves are binding. While Fili and Kili are technically full grown dwarrow, they are not currently the heads of their own household; that duty falls to Thorin. This means as their "sister" she is now bound to the Line of Durin for the rest of her life and it is Thorin's duty to see that she is looked after.
Thorin is both startled and angry of his nephew's sudden possessiveness of the ranger. When did he miss the strength of this bond? He knows that the three are close, but it is surprising to find that they hold her so close to their hearts. It angers him that while the ranger has proved herself time and time again his nephews are foolhardy enough to accept someone into the royal family they hardly know. Under normal circumstances it's a dwarf that is adopted by the family and only after a couple of decades. This is entirely unprecedented, not to mention the fact she had hidden her gender from discovery…
"You would accept someone who lied to you into the Line of Durin?" Thorin asks angrily. He is not angry about the choice itself, seeing as Tahna is a special case. He knows Tahna's good intentions and doesn't mean to imply her unworthy of such honors, but his nephews don't realize how accepting that kind of behavior could damage their honor and reputation. His nephews should know better than to take such things for granted.
"Lied? What did she lie about?" asks Kili cautiously.
"Is not clear to you that she was disguising the fact that she is a woman?" The dwarrow lord asks with a frustrated growl. What is wrong should be the obvious part…
"She may not dress like the average human female, but she didn't lie to us. If anything it is our own fault for not approaching her about it in the first place," says Kili with the utmost conviction. "When I asked her if she was a woman directly she told me she was. There was no lying." By this time Dwalin, Dori, and Bifur return from their patrol and are listening intently.
"It's not as if she was hiding it," adds Bilbo suddenly.
"What?" asks Thorin.
"Well…I uh…um…I don't mean…"stutters the hobbit. He doesn't want to sell out the others for knowing before hand, but he opens his mouth without really thinking it through. He doesn't want to look like a complete idiot, but he has certainly stepped in it now. However, with Bofur being the wonderful friend he is comes to Bilbo's rescue.
"All of us knew before this point that she was a woman, Thorin," says the miner. At those words, Thorin's eyes widen and look over the faces of his company, forgetting the issue with his nephews quickly. He can't understand how the rest of his company already knew without dropping some sort of hint or indication that they are aware. Most of them wear a guilty expression or they don't look him in the eye at all. Dwalin just shrugs at him as he already made his stance on the matter clear. Bofur then continues, "It doesn't matter to us that she's a lass instead of a lad. She is a ranger, a valuable member of this company, and a friend; that's all that really matters."
"How? How could all of you have known? And then not say anything?" Thorin says in a surprised breath. He isn't really hurt because he did the same to them once he learned about Tahna. However, the surprise that not one of them spoke up is genuine; it would have saved him from a lot of frustration in the end.
With a sigh Bofur launches into the explanation as to how all of them discovered the truth. Nori wears a smirk as he claims to be the first of the company to figure it out. Thorin is truly surprised that Bilbo figured it out very quickly as well; in fact it was he that tipped off of the others. The dwarf lord feels quite the fool when he realizes that Tahna is the reason why he bathed and made water separate from the rest of the company. Hobbit privacy indeed, he thought as he glares at the grey wizard. There is no doubt in Thorin's mind that the wandering wizard had known all along about their ranger.
The other small details such as the Sheppard's Purse, which he overlooked, were obvious indicators to the others. It is a little sad that this escaped his notice when he watched her, but he thought it a common food among men. How was he to know that women used it to halt their…cycles? Kili adds his own experience about asking her directly to which she had answered him honestly. Shortly afterward he told his brother what had transpired. Although when Gloin confesses to an unfortunate walk in on the lady while she was washing her clothes and armor, Thorin could sympathize; though his encounter was far more revealing. The memory alone brings a slight flush to his cheeks and he hopes to avoid his own confession, but Fili has other ideas.
"When did you finally realize, uncle? You were suspicious for so long," asks Fili.
Before another word can be said, Dwalin bursts out into laughter so hard he falls over himself. The sight is so foreign that Gloin asks aloud if he has been possessed. As his laughter subsides the company slowly loses interest, but then they wait for Thorin's answer. Dwalin watches his face eagerly with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, waiting to see how he would either get himself out of this or embarrass himself beyond belief.
Thorin does his best to ignore the heat creeping on his cheeks. Then taking a page out of Tahna's book so to speak, he answers, "In Rivendell I found her much like Gloin did. However, she thought me an intruder and attacked me. When she realized her mistake and stood down, I confronted her about it."
The rest of the company accepts that answer and doesn't question further, but Dwalin continues to watch his friend with a knowing look. Thorin glares back in hopes of making him cease, but it only puts a large smug grin on the son of Fundin's face. He looks over at Balin who has not once made comment or acknowledgement about the situation. The elder dwarf just looks at Tahna's unmoving form with a sorrowful gaze. Thorin hasn't seen Balin like this since the aftermath of Azanulbizar. He knows that Balin puts a lot of faith in the ranger and he may have been upset to discover that she is female, but sadness is not what he expected. Amidst his observation of Balin, the company continued to talk amongst themselves and he returns in the middle of a conversation.
"All except for Dori, of course," laughs Nori. "He might have lost his head if he had known."
Dori's face scrunches up with indignation. "I'll have you know that I knew for quite a while," Dori retorts. At that Nori and Ori both look at their brother incredulously. It is a little surprising that the master of propriety, Dori, would allow such a rouse to continue. Dori can see the question in everyone's eyes so he answers, "I saw her with her mask down before the trolls. It took a couple of times to confirm it; that's why I was giving her tea when I woke her up for watch."
Now Nori crosses his arms, "So when I covertly avoid the truth I get the lecture of a lifetime, but when she does it she gets a cup of tea. I'm your brother. Where is the fairness in that?"
"That's just it. You're my brother and I expect more from you! And because it usually involves the fact that you stole something!" replies Dori snappily.
"Well for now let's focus on getting the lass taken care of," cuts in Oin. He looks over to the two boys, "If you two wanna help grind up calendula flowers and comfrey leaves under Bilbo's instruction it's a good place to start. I'm going to work on creating a mixture of fennel and garlic for Thorin's lacerations. As for the rest of you I highly recommend that you wash up in the river, you all reek of goblin."
With some mild grumbling, the rest of the company head for the water to clean themselves. Bombur and Bofur remain with the cooking pot, planning to wash after they eat. The boys quietly follow the hobbit's instruction as they grind the plants between two stones. Oin is similarly quiet in producing his own healing mixture. Gandalf watches with intermittent puffs from his pipe as Thorin continues to follow the rise and fall of the ranger's chest.
Oin focuses on Thorin first. The worst of his injuries being the laceration on his head, the healer smears the pungent smelling mixture on Thorin's temple. The open wounds on his chest from the warg's teeth receive the same treatment. While he avoided breaking any ribs, everything along the left side of his body is mottled with purple bruises. There is a limited supply of clean bandages so he only takes one for the chest wounds and leaves the rest for Tahna.
When Oin moves to look over her, Thorin follows with him to see the full extent of the damage inflicted. However, the physician tells him to get some food with the others and leave him to his work. At first Thorin is angry, but then he realizes that while his nephews have declared her their sister, he has not laid any claim to her. Therefore, Thorin has to do as Oin asks and walks back to the fire. Balin and Dwalin can see his return as he settles stiffly on one the stone seats near the fire and move to join him. The dwarf king sits near the wizard, giving him a vantage point to oversee her healing from a distance.
Fili takes up a position holding her head in his lap while Kili and Oin remove her tunic. To Thorin it is obviously not good as both his nephews' faces tighten. The mender hands Kili one mixture to apply to her chest where the Great Goblin struck her. Thorin is surprised to see the focused look in Kili's eye; unmoved by the fact that scant inches from where he is working are Tahna's womanly assets. Oin takes his other mixture, rubbing it into the cuts on her neck, arm, and hands. Kili moves from the chest to her back and eventually back up to her throat. The graying dwarf wraps her neck, arm, and hands in bandages.
After that Oin tells the princes to join their uncle by the fire. They look like they want to protest, but then the healer snaps at them in Khuzdul. When their faces turn a little pink they reluctantly leave him and ranger. They take up the spots next to the wizard and stare into the fire as Oin covers her with a cloak. He looks up to give them a glare as he moves to block her from view while he removes her trousers. Thorin hesitates for a moment before averting his eyes.
"Dinner's ready," says Bofur.
Those who are still in the river scramble out at the call for food, while those who rest around the fire are quickly served their portion. On their way back to camp they glance over at Oin and Tahna, but once they realize what is going on, they avoid looking in that direction altogether. They eat in relative silence, awaiting the healer's final assessment. When Oin did approach the fire, Fili and Kili exchange a nod and the eldest leaves to stay with Tahna.
"So how is she?" asks Thorin anxiously. No one saw fit to comment on his concern, as everyone is just as worried.
"Mostly severe cuts and bruises; the worst are on her hands and back. She'll look purple for the rest of the week. She is also weak from blood loss," he states. Bombur hands him a bowl of stew, but he doesn't dig in right away.
"It didn't look that bad," says Ori fearfully.
"That's because she has also started her monthly bleed, but with her holding it off with Sheppard's Purse it is making her condition worse. She overestimated how long she was using it," he says with a sigh. "Tomorrow we will look to see if there is anything we can use to combat the symptoms. I have no doubt in my mind that her fatigued condition in the goblin tunnels was caused by her anemia."
He takes one bite of stew then adds, "I cannot tell about the condition of her concussion. It worries me the most. Head wounds are such tricky things…there is still a chance she may not wake up at all." At that a couple dwarves gasp and Thorin unconsciously clenches his hands.
"Do not fret," pipes in Gandalf confidently. "I took care of that ailment when I saw to her. She will most certainly awaken." He looks up at the summer sky as it stains orange with the setting of the sun. "It is just a matter of when."
"She's awake!" shouts Fili. Everyone in the camp can scarcely believe the timing, but Kili and Thorin both rush over to see hazy golden eyes looking back up at them. In Thorin's mind there is no sight more beautiful in this moment; his prayers have been answered. The others gather around behind the sons of Durin with smiles on their faces, hopeful that their friend will be alright.
She gives them a small smile, but when she opens her mouth to say something she chokes and starts coughing. Kili is quick to bring his water skin to her face and assisting once the coughs subside. She drinks heartily, a couple trails of water escape from her lips. Kili removes the pouch and waits. After she swallows, the smile returns and she says:
"What's the matter? You all look worried," she says with a rasp. The cheers from the company echo off the valley walls. They lean in to offer her their well wishes for her recovery and compliments for her bravery on the cliff. She just smiles back at them for the most part, but after a while she starts trying to sit up. Thorin stops her quickly.
"Relax, Tahna. You must rest," Thorin commands.
"I will, but…my arms…they hurt," she grunts.
Gandalf lifts the cloak to see that magic from before has accumulated again. He is swift to move as he leaves his staff and picks her up himself to take her to the water. Naturally, the entire company follows with barely a foot of space between them and the wizard. Just as his feet are covered in water he sets Tahna down on her knees. She puts her hands into the riverbed, bringing the water inches above her wrists. Gandalf backs up onto the dry shoreline and watches her. She doesn't waste any time starting.
"Nanye i-cilme," she starts. The water around her hand immediately stills. "Nanye i-nar." The water crawls up one of her hands and begins to profusely release steam. "Nanye i-nixie." The other hand is covered now too, but instead drops pieces of solid ice back into the water. "Nanye coi." At this the water begins to glow softly, moving up and down her arms in a caressing fashion. "Nanye firie." The glow darkens slightly and begins to move faster. The production of ice and steam is increasing every second. It is uncomfortable for Thorin to watch Tahna shiver as the steam burns her face and the ice freezes her legs. "Inye selma cuitaye qualye." The water stills and waits for its next command. "Inye selma avas calalda ta nuru enta ala." The water slips off of her arms like a wet rag and disappears down the river. The company waits a moment, having been silently mesmerized by the sight they just witnessed.
However, as Tahna tries to stand and stumbles, Oin overcomes his fear of her magic to tend to his patient. The others quickly follow, helping bring her back to the warmth of the campfire. The physician leans her up against a log situated near the fire. Fili and Kili bring over the cloak that was used to cover her earlier and Gandalf's staff. The healer unwraps the bandages to add more poultice to the cuts on her hands, afraid that by putting them in the water would become infected, only to find that the wounds are gone.
"The water healed my hands and arms entirely to get to the magic in my blood," Tahna explains. "It can be handy sometimes. At least now I won't be completely useless."
"Enough of that," growls Thorin sharply. Oin wraps her in the cloak to try and help maintain her body heat. Bombur brings bowl of the stew for her to eat. Thorin takes it from him first and hands it off to her gently. She flinches a little, like the bowl is too hot, so he makes sure that she can hold it on her own before retracting his hands. It's hard to see, but the relief Thorin feels at seeing her functioning is very pronounced.
"So your name is actually Tahna?" asks Bofur gently. The ranger answers with a nod as she shovels more food into her face. There is a consensus around the camp that name suits her and general comments about her remarkable capabilities. However, everyone agrees that it's too late for questions now. So with the promise of tomorrow everyone begins to make for their own sleeping rolls. In the chaos only a few of the dwarves managed to grab one, so some are sharing or going without entirely.
When Tahna finishes her bowl she hands it back to Thorin who hands it off to Bofur. The dwarf gives her a small smile before taking it to the river for washing. The dwarf lord looks back to see that Oin is sound asleep, though he recalls the directions to make sure that she is warm throughout the night. So with no one to reprimand him, he takes up the ranger in his arms once more. He settles her on a sleeping roll between Fili and Kili. Once she's down he adjusts her cloak-made-blanket when he sees her face looks worried. Tahna is looking all around, like something might over take them from behind the log she had been resting on. She looks up at Thorin with a fearful glance.
"We are several days ahead of Azog now. Dwalin himself checked the perimeter. We are safe for now and we need to rest. We'll talk further in the morning, Tahna," he says gently. When he sees his nephews are breathing evenly he risks brushing over the scar on her chin; the one that leads to her lips. "You are safe tonight, Tahna. We all are."
She gives a small nod of her head before her eyes fall closed once more. Thorin glances around to see that the rest have fallen asleep. Dwalin is sitting up, which means he fell asleep unintentionally. Unsurprising with the days they have had, but someone has to keep watch. Movement from the corner of his eye draws him to the wizard who is puffing away at his pipe once more.
"I will keep watch this night, Thorin Oakenshield," states the wizard.
"All night?"
"Yes," says Gandalf with a strain in his voice. He pulls out Tahna's hilts once more to examine them again. "I'm afraid I have much to think about and I shall need the time the night provides."
Thorin is hardly going to turn down his offer and takes up a spot by trio. He is laying opposite them so that all of their heads are lined up beneath him. He hears a shift and he looks down to see Tahna is still awake. She is looking back up at him with a sad look, but before he can comfort her she drags herself up. Now that she is closer to him she easily takes hold of his hand before settling back down. He stares at her for a little while. Mostly at her small hand grasping his and when she begins to breath evenly his heart swells uncontrollably. If it is comfort she seeks he would provide.
He pulls himself closer to her to prevent any strain on her arm and finally falls asleep himself; completely unaware of the wizard watching him from the fire.
My (Horrible) Translations:
Thoronen – my eagle
mirer – precious one
gornilen – my valiant one
iellen – my daughter
sadril – loyal one
adar – father (I know that the one everyone uses is ada, but adar is more proper so yeah)
namadith – little sister
nadad – brother
Nanye i-cilme - I am the Chosen
Nanye i-nar – I am the fire
Nanye i-nixie – I am the ice
Nanye coi – I am life
Nanye firie – I am death
Inye selma cuitaye qualye – I live and I will die
Inye selma avas calalda ta nuru enta ala – I will go forward with your light and die another day
Goodness so many translations. Ugh...
For those of you who are looking forward to Beorn's, don't worry so am I!