Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews, peeps :) Thank you Libra Fire, Lady Izel, Freydris, Anon, Adeleidhis, zephyr, and creepyLotRfangirl55 for the reviews. I can't believe I got eight more. They mean a lot. I will have responses for the anonymous ones below :)
Disclaimer: I do not own "Lights" by Journey. Do you notice I have a pattern of using retro songs? I'm going to search for a more modern-ish song for chapter five.
Chapter Three: Lights
Claudio and Naji left, Fancy Pants smirking triumphantly. Rue wasn't actually going to marry him. She had agreed to get Thorin out of trouble, but now it was time to make a quick getaway to the Shire.
As soon as the door shut behind them, Thorin started in on Rue.
"You cannot seriously marry him?"
She was fiddling with her fingers, twisting them restlessly.
"Miss Rue, answer me," he spoke gruffly. "I would not wish this upon any woman. A marriage with that man would be the death of you. I do not need you sacrificing your well-being for what I have done. I accept what my actions bring me." He looked furious, nostrils flaring, nearly snarling.
Thorin turned, determinedly making a beeline for the door. Oh, no, he was probably going to tell Claudio he would accept responsibility for everything. Rue's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"I'm not going to marry him."
He was tense, spinning back around.
"I just said that so you can get out of here, and I can go to the Shire," Rue explained quietly, keeping her voice low just in case Naji was being shady and listening in with his ear pressed against the door. She rubbed sleep out of her eyes, realizing it was too darn early for all this drama.
Thorin swallowed hard, staring at her like she was truly stupid or with newfound respect. Rue wasn't sure which.
"Have you ever traveled alone in the Wild, Miss Rue?" he asked sharply.
"No," she admitted lamely. "I've slept in cars before―but that's about it. So I've camped out in the urban jungle. I'm sure if little Hobbits can survive, maybe I have a chance." Okay, she seriously doubted that. And why was she bringing up her past?
She peered at Thorin, his potent eyes seizing on hers. Rue shuddered, suddenly wondering if Thorin was a Scorpio. Everything about him screamed Scorpio: the intensity, overbearing presence, but especially his eyes. Natalie was such a Scorpio. Now she felt winded, folding her arms tightly. She missed Nat so much it physically pained her. Now she knew Mom had been right all along, when she had said, "You're too dependable on Nat. She's going to leave you one day." That day was here.
"After I travel to Ered Luin, I am traveling to the Shire for a meeting with my kin," Thorin spoke roughly, but yet the quietest she had ever heard him speak.
Rue didn't think, but just blurted, "Why are you going to the Shire?" She covered her mouth regrettably. Okay, that was none of her business, but she had just been curious. Why did Thorin and his kin want to hang out with Hobbits? Rue sputtered, "I'm sorry. It's none of my business."
Thorin ventured a wary glance at the door. He suddenly closed the distance between them, breathily bringing his mouth to her ear. Rue shuddered when she felt his hot breath on her earlobe.
He whispered, "There is a quest my kin and I must discuss. I plan―" He gave her a lingering once over― "to reclaim The Lonely Mountain." The Lonely Mountain? That was Mordor―wait no. It was Erebor! Erebor was the lost Dwarf kingdom and Thorin was the rightful king, so―
"You are?" she squealed excitedly.
He gave her a pointed look.
Her voice dropped to a murmur and she nodded. "I mean, you are?" Awe, Thorin was going to reclaim his home from that bully, Smaug. Rue felt happy for him, and if they were friends, she would have hugged him.
"Yes."
"So, uh―"
"I am offering to take you to the Shire, Miss Rue," Thorin interrupted uncomfortably, gazing at the floor now. "My debt to you shall be repaid after." There was a debt? This was news to Rue.
She grinned. "Really? You will take me to the Shire?"
"Yes."
"That's really nice of you." She bounced on the balls of her feet, freaking ecstatic.
Something unreadable flashed in Thorin's eyes. Maybe it was distrust or regret, she wasn't sure.
"You must not mention the quest to anyone." He stepped even closer, his gaze fixated on hers, the look in his eyes deadly serious. Well, one thing was for sure: Rue was never going to say anything. First of all, if she did, Thorin would probably kill her. Second of all, it was wrong. He had just offered to take her to the Shire. Sure, he seemed grouchy, but for whatever reason he was taking her to the Shire. How could Rue backstab him like that after such a kind offer? Maybe Thorin didn't think of it as kind, since he thought he had a debt to repay, but still.
She nodded. "I won't." Nervously, Rue added, "But, uh, what about the Ri brothers―"
He interjected, "They know of it because they are a part of it."
She was seconds away from squealing in excitement. The Ri brothers were going on the quest to reclaim Erebor? Were all the Dwarves a part of it? Was this like Dumbledore's oh-so-secretive Army? Did that mean Gimli would be there? Rue was about to pluck up the courage to ask about Gimli when a knock resounded on the door.
It was like the tension in the air had been pierced by a knife, Rue exhaling quietly, her heart pounding wildly. She and Thorin stepped away from each other, facing the door.
The owner's voice rang out on the other side.
"Ruby, you have some cleaning up to do downstairs. Be downstairs in ten minutes." She heard his footsteps shuffle down the hall, body slackening. Thank goodness. Biting her lip, she turned back to Thorin.
"So, uh, am I supposed to sneak out of here? Oh, gosh, I'm horrible at Mission Impossible sneaky," Rue whispered discreetly, realizing Naji was most likely in the Prancing Pony to show off his injuries to his friends. She would have to get past him or appear to be walking Thorin out of the tavern. Thinking of Thorin and Naji theoretically confronting each other again made her nervous. She didn't want a round two, for Thorin to get hurt again.
Thorin was quiet, contemplating her words, his thinking expression adorable. Rue felt funny thinking of him as adorable. He seemed like he was many things, but definitely not adorable.
She folded her arms, watching Thorin carefully, hoping he would think up something. And then he did.
"You will walk with me outside," he said meticulously. "If that Man is there, you will greet him nicely, and appear as though you are merely accompanying me outside out of pity, because you feel sorry for what has happened."
"Yeah, that's good, Thorin." Rue grinned, her hands waving about in her enthusiasm. "I can go up to Naji and pat him on his back or something, tell him that I'm happy to marry him."
"We will walk to the end of town after I have retrieved my pony and slink away," Thorin spoke undoubtedly, watching Rue carefully, as if waiting for her to dispute or say something contemptuous. She swallowed hard, putting her hands behind her back, wondering why every second she spent longer with Thorin Oakenshield, it seemed the more likely he expected her to say or do something hurtful. Gosh, he was Natalie, except for the bigmouth part. Natalie loved to scream out the car window, honk her horn, and flip off people. Yep, she was a wild child.
"Thorin, you're really smart." Rue beamed, feeling stupid. There was nothing happy about this situation. She had to sneak away from Bree to avoid a marriage with Fancy Pants and Thorin had been hit with a pipe, but at least she would finally be going to the Shire. Frodo, she was coming!
He seemed a little taken aback by the compliment, his mouth parting before closing quickly, eyes hardening.
"If you have any belongings, gather them."
"Aye-aye, Captain Kirk." She mock saluted, plopping down on her knees to peer underneath her bed, where her good ol' Jansport backpack was. Rue pulled out the blue backpack with yellow stars and bubbles on it, Thorin seeming dumbfounded by the backpack.
With a big grin on her face, she put all her belongings in her backpack, deciding she'd tell Naji she was going to wash her clothes after seeing Thorin off.
Rue and Thorin headed down the wooden staircase, Thorin hissing underneath his breath for her to stop acting suspicious. She tried her best, acting natural, which was the state of permanent stupidity. When they were nearly at the bottom of the wooden stairs, Rue purposely stumbled on the last step like she did sometimes. Nailed the acting-natural-part thing, she thought as some of the Men in the tavern gave her curious glances. As they saw Thorin, the majority of the Men leered, giving him the stink eye big time. It was weird to see all these Men with beards, acting like they were in high school. Trying not to judge here.
The Prancing Pony was quiet, except for a boisterous laugh. Rue spotted Naji's back as he sat at a table facing the broken window, looking too happy for a dude who had gotten molly whomped last night.
Rue took a glimpse at Thorin. He inconspicuously jerked his head at Naji, as in saying, "Go on."
She bit her lip, expecting Thorin to stay by the barstools, but he walked with her to meet Naji. It felt like all the air was sucked out her lungs when she halted behind Fancy Pants. His friends were on the other side of the table, their eyes flickering from her to Thorin. Naji saw their gazes, sensing the change in mood, turning and sneering.
"Oh, so the whore has chosen to show herself."
His friends started laughing; some of them pounding the table with their fists like her family did on their dysfunctional Thanksgiving dinners. That insult hurt.
Rue noticed Thorin's shoulders tense, a snarl forming on his lips.
She took a step closer to Naji, her legs feeling like cinder blocks. "Uh, you know we didn't do anything." Rue uncomfortably touched his burly shoulders, feeling disgusting, weird. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm happy about marrying you, Naji. And that―" She cast a regretful glance at Thorin― "I only feel sorry for Thorin after what happened last night."
Naji was now peering at Thorin menacingly. "I understand. The man is a king without a home to claim. He saw a many harsh things. It is hard not to feel sorry for a tragic story."
Thorin was nearly shaking in rage, hurt flickering across his face before the toughness took place. His jaw was clenched so tight, Rue swore his teeth were gnashed together.
She nodded. "So, I'm gonna show Thorin off, and then wash my clothes, and maybe―"
Naji interrupted loudly, "We can celebrate our courtship later, our newfound engagement. Oh, yes, I will cherish every moment." He then licked his lips suggestively, the meaning behind the gesture making Rue stumble back. Icky. His eyes fell to her chest. Rue had always told herself Mom was wrong when she said, "You got boobs, use them," since they were only size C. Talk about weird mother and daughter bonding time.
She only nodded, trying to recover from her obvious repulsion.
Thorin was disgusted, this look of utter disbelief and outrage on his face.
Rue said sweetly, "Bye, Naji." Yep, goodbye forever.
He ignored her, turning back to his friends: Crabbe and Goyle.
Thorin let her pass him first before following her out the front door. Rue saw the owner out of the corner of her eye, holding up her backpack to show she was going to "wash" her clothes. He sighed in frustration, averting his gaze. Rue felt awful as the door shut behind her. She was leaving when she was supposed to be working, but come on; if she stayed, her fate was to be in marital "bliss" with Fancy Pants.
Rue and Thorin walked in silence, heading past wooden buildings, brilliant pinkish sunlight spilling from above. Beautiful houses lined the dirt street carved between buildings, the homes built out of wood painted white. People bustled by them, Rue thinking that maybe they could see the deception. She squirmed uncomfortably.
"I will never understand why Men treat their women so poorly," Thorin broke the silence, grumbling angrily. "It is foul to disrespect a woman in such a way." His eyes were screaming a million more thoughts that he didn't say aloud. Rue wondered how Thorin would react walking through the Delta College campus in Stockton, guys cat whistling at chicks and some even groping girls, who happened to be by themselves, in the stairwells. Delta College was a crazy place.
She slung her backpack over her shoulder, nervous as hell. What if somebody saw? Well, of course somebody was going to see them together, but still. Rue stole a glance at Thorin, for the first time realizing they were the same height. He might have been short, but she could never recall meeting a more masculine guy. She spotted an oaken branch hung below his waist, the concave wood bouncing softly against his coat. No wonder why he was called Thorin Oakenshield. Duh.
They ambled onwards for several minutes, stopping by this wooded post where horses were tied by the reins. Rue glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting Naji to be right there and yell, "Boo!" She inhaled quietly, the sharp intake of breath leaving her insides squirming. Waiting for Thorin to get his pony was torture as people kept passing by. Rue felt beads of sweat travel down her forehead, the hairs on the back of her neck prickling.
"Come," Thorin spoke impatiently, leading his apricot-colored pony by the reins. Rue watched the horsey in fascination, tempted to touch its tail, but thought better of it.
Rue was kind of surprised by how easy they walked through town, passing by wooden fences, early rising farmers busy feeding their livestock. Warily, she noticed people give Thorin funny looks. Rue assumed it was the whole Dwarf thing. But hey, Dwarf or not, Thorin was kind of cool in that tough and rough way. His mere presence was admirable, like he had all the confidence and self-assurance in the world Rue wished she had.
Five minutes later, they were approaching the end of town, pieces of crumbling stone wall around the edges of Bree. Luckily, Claudio took his Master of Bree duties pretty lazily, so parts of the stone wall were broken, providing an easy exit. At least that was what Rue had heard from other Bree residents―that he was lazy.
Rue wasn't exactly sure what she was expecting. Maybe for every good ol' guard surrounding the town to stand in their way and for there to be a Tombstone, Wild West showdown, but there wasn't. It was just a simple house on the left, and then broken stone wall in front of them. No obstacles.
They walked faster, the swelling sunlight making Rue nervous, like it would flood them and everybody would see she was running away with a Dwarf. Hey, come to think of it, this was the first time she was ever sneaking off with a guy―a rite of passage according to Natalie. Then again, she couldn't think of Thorin as just a "guy." He was from Middle-earth, a Dwarf King, and seemed―well distinct in some unexplainable way.
Rue's heart hammered against her ribcage as their shoulders brushed against broken pieces of stone fortress. Five steps left. Her throat felt swollen. On the other side, which she hadn't seen since she fell on a barn and rolled off it, face landing in cow pooh, there was forest that seemed endless, that seemed to go beyond miles. It was stunning, emerald, the air a complete contrast to the ugly stench in the Prancing Pony. She felt bad thinking that the Prancing Pony was stinky, since the owner had been kind enough to let her stay there.
Three steps left. Her arms were tingling, legs numb. Rue couldn't help but think a million eyes were on the back of their heads, or that Naji was running with a fleet of guards, preparing to chase them.
One step left. She inhaled cuttingly, feeling winded. Then they were completely past the stone wall, out of Bree. Officially gone. Thorin motioned with a jerk of his head for her to follow him a little ways in the forest. They didn't stop until a minute later, stepping over creaky branches, moss-covered rocks, and past swaying branches.
He stopped first, looking regal and like a legit King Under the Mountain. That was probably because he was. Herp derp moment.
"I am assuming you have never ridden a pony," Thorin grumbled, looking downright annoyed.
"How did you know?" She grinned, feeling stupid seconds later. Her grin fell, replaced by a wordless nod. Rue heard birds chirping, suddenly smiling stupidly again. There was a blue birdie perched on the branch above their heads, Thorin following her eyes. Immediately, she scowled, trying to make it look like she hadn't been ogling a bird.
"Come. I will hold the stirrup for you," Thorin said roughly, frowning. He stole a peek at the line of trees closest to the crumbling stone around Bree, evidently worried. Oh, gosh. If Thorin was worried, then there was a strong possibility this plan to sneak out could go haywire.
She hurriedly inched closer, gulping as she put her foot in the stirrup. Rue shrugged her backpack off to make it easier, the thing landing on the bed of grass and leaves below them. She gripped the reins with both hands.
"Push yourself up," he ordered.
Rue determinedly pushed upwards, grabbing the reins for dear life, her knuckles turning white. Okay, she could do this. With a snort, half grunt sound, the kind of sound she used to make while running in track meets, she swung one leg over. Thorin stepped back, seeming taken aback by the fact she had actually managed to get herself on the pony.
She smiled. "Okay, I know you thought this was going to be a complete disaster, since walking for me is a challenge enough itself, but―" Rue was distracted as she ran her hands through the pony's smooth hair. It felt like it could be a blanket, as though she could hug it and―stop it with these mushy thoughts.
Thorin lifted up her backpack, handing it to her.
"Thank you."
He then got on the pony himself, appearing regal and moody, as if he couldn't choose between hating her―the inconvenience, or feeling sorry for her. Rue wondered if Thorin was thinking about the quest, realizing she had just become another burden.
He positioned himself in front of her, speaking grumpily, "Hold onto me."
Rue leaned forward; really intimidated to touch King Under the Mountain the wrong way, but he did say hold onto him. And they were about to be going, "Hi ho silver! Away!" Tentatively, she wrapped her arms around his waist, feeling muscles through his clothes. He felt strong, and…safe. Now her face was inches from his hair. Rue was tempted to play with his hair, since it was so dang pretty. It was wavy, faint gray streaks in the tangle of blackness. Thorin could totally be in a hair commercial.
"Hold me tighter. I will not be dealing with you falling off the pony, Miss Rue," he said pointedly, the rumbling through his body vibrating through hers.
Okay, okay. She literally hugged his waist for dear life.
And then they were off.
Inky-black sky was above them, the forest ghosted in dazzling moonlight as Rue leaned against a tree. Her diary with a picture of Tigger on it was propped on her knees awkwardly as she scribbled away with her pen.
Dear Natalie,
We are setting-up camp. And by we, I mean Thorin and me. Yep, this guy, this Dwarf, is named Thorin. It sounds like Thor, except you know how I used to say Thor was awesome? Well, I think Thorin is even cooler. He's a lot like you, which I think makes me feel naturally comfortable in some weird way. My inner thighs are itchy and red, legs hurting from squeezing against the pony. I wish I could run, you know? I notice I switch topics at the speed of light, but I guess it's all good. I mean, what if you never read this? I'm hoping you will read this or I'm gonna go bonkers. It's pretty cold out here, but Thorin got a fire going. He seems like he knows how to do everything. I still can't believe I'm in Middle-earth. Every morning I wake up, I think, "It's just a dream," but it isn't. Millions of people would kill for my spot, so maybe I should be more appreciative. I know you're gonna be jealous if I meet that hot Elf, Leggy's his name, right? Maybe I can be your wingman if I ever find a way out of here or for a way for you to come here. Anyway, I'm about to try to talk to Thorin. I asked him a few questions while we rode for hours today, but Thorin seemed―annoyed and preoccupied like he was thinking of something else. I bet that damn Dragon Smaug. Wonder if it looks like the Hungarian Horntail. Wish I could buy Thorin a firebolt to fly around it, you know?
Love Rue
She finished writing her diary entry for the day, feeling loads better. If she imagined talking to Natalie, this whole Middle-earth experience would definitely not be so scary.
Thorin was sitting next to the fire, grass tangled by his boots as his thumb was raised to his chin, expression screwed in intense concentration. Rue briefly wondered if trusting Thorin had been a mistake. What if he was an axe-murderer? But she hadn't gotten that gut feeling about him, that instinct that said not to trust. Rue had gotten that feeling with Naji, which was why she had tried to avoid him at first, but never with Thorin.
Timidly, she crawled closer to him on her knees, gulping. Rue plopped down on her butt inches from him, nervously biting her lip. From the distance, she heard an owl hoot, the sound making her jerk.
"Why do the littlest of animal calls make such an impression on you?"
Rue faced Thorin, blinking, realizing this question was from him observing her throughout the day. It was startling that he even had Natalie's observation skills. He was staring at her intently, waiting for her answer.
She began gawkily, "Uh―I'm from a place where I don't get to hear and see animals every day, so it's a little weird, you know?" Rue sat cross legged, her fingers tapping on the leaves scattered around them. "But I like this, you know, the clean air, the prettiness. Middle-earth is so―" She twisted her finger around, searching for the right word― "pure."
"Pure is a strange word to use."
"If you went to Stockton for one day, I think you'd agree."
"Stockton is your home?"
"Yep."
Thorin was silent, frowning as he gazed at the earth. Was it even still earth? Was she still on the same planet? Rue gulped, twisting her fingers. She had this thought before, but what if―her lips were quivering now―she was dead? What if she could never return home because she didn't exist there anymore? Maybe Middle-earth was an afterlife. But if this was an afterlife, wouldn't Rue have gone to the place that made her happiest, like Hogwarts?
She peered at Thorin, daunted as his eyes traveled to her face.
Deep-throatily, uncomfortably, he asked, "Why did you agree to marry that man to―" Thorin awkwardly gave her a once over, and then his gaze fell to the grass― "ensure that I left Bree unharmed?"
His question hung in the air, the air overwrought. Everything felt different, as if his question had led to an unexpected turn of things.
She contemplated her answer for several moments, realizing maybe there wasn't any right answer.
Rue fiddled with the grass, pulling blades out, half-realizing what she was doing.
"I felt guilty, still am guilty actually," she confessed sheepishly. "What happened in the Prancing Pony was my fault, and that led to you and Naji fighting, so…I wanted to make sure you were okay. By the way, I'm still really sorry about your boo-boo." Rue was mortified. She had just referred to an injury as a boo-boo. Eh?
Thorin's eyebrows wrinkled in confusion. "What is a boo-boo?" When he said "boo-boo" in that deep voice of his, it sounded hilarious.
Rue resisted the urge to laugh, responding clumsily, "It means injury. Sorry I used that word. It makes me sound like I'm five." She shook her head.
"What of your age?"
Her dark eyes flickered to his face, Thorin's expression regretful, blue eyes flitting around her face.
His shoulders tensed. He said gruffly, "That was an inappropriate question."
"I'm twenty-two." Rue grinned. "Uh, if you don't mind me asking, what about you?"
Thorin grumbled, long nose wrinkling, "I am of 195 years."
"Woah!" Rue's eyebrows shot up her forehead. "You're―like a sea turtle! So Dwarves live a long time?" This was crazy.
"Most of my kin live until 250 years, but some have been known to live beyond that," he answered guardedly, eyes seeming uncharacteristically indecisive.
"So I bet you've done a lot and seen a lot." Rue stared up at the inky-black sky, loving the shine of the stars. "You're not only smart and a king, but wise, too. You have definitely become the most interesting person I have ever met. But there was that one kid in high school named Kyle that was pretty one-of-a-kind weird."
Thorin asked what high school was and Rue explained it was a gathering place for human children to go learn. She was tempted to say high school was pretty dramatic, but didn't. She could already hear Thorin saying something like, "Ungrateful children."
They continued talking―well, Rue doing the talking while Thorin listened or answered questions with one-sentence responses.
She lay back on the grass, stretching her arms outwards, feeling like those house cats that took all the pleasure in the world stretching. Thorin was still sitting, his gaze on the fire.
And then he said something that was unexpected.
"Miss Rue, it is not your blame that Man treated you callously. It is his." He cast a quick glimpse at her, turning back to the fire. "Do not blame yourself."
Rue blinked in surprise, watching Thorin in awe as he rose to his feet. He walked toward the pony tied to the nearest tree, checking on the pony's hooves. In the glow of the firelight, his eyes were penetrating, body language screaming he thought he had something he shouldn't have.
Rue already had her first words of her next diary entry planned: Wow, Nat, Thorin is "almost" your twin.
Author's Note: I got the diary idea from Perks of being a Wallflower. How Charlie writes "Dear friend." I hope you enjoyed the update. And *dun dun* this will not be the last of Naji. I was wondering what would be a good update day for my readers? I was thinking Saturday. So even if you don't have anything to say about the story and are just following along for the ride, feel free to review and say what day would be best for me to update. Before I forget, I started an "All about Thorin Oakenshield" forum for those of you who love him, too. We can talk about Thorin all day and all night. Haha. In this chapter, I think Thorin's choice to tell Rue about the quest might be a little OOC, but I thought since he's planning on taking her along for the trip to the Blue Mountains, he already knows what's going to happen. He's thinking Kili will come running out the house, blurting about it anyway, so better him to mention it than his nephew.
Response to zephyr: Your review made my week. Seriously. Now I'm gonna tell you a little story about a guy who moved out to California who thought he was so "hard" because he's from the Kansas City ghetto. His wife got tired of him talking rolling hard, and she's a Stockton native so guess what happened next? She took him to sleep in the Church's Chicken parking lot and he was shit-face scared. True story :) That proves how crazy Stockton is lol.
Response to Anon: Thanks for the reviews! I never thought of Rue as a foil to Thorin. Interesting thing is that Ron is supposed to be Harry's foil. Squeee! Sorry, but that makes me happy. And I love writing Nori. There are so many possibilities so I don't know why people don't use him more.