Author's Note: This chapter is a monster chapter compared to my last two. But it does cover a lot plot-wise. Hope my readers enjoy. For my fellow Americans out there, I hope you guys had a great Thanksgiving. And for my non-Americans, I hope you guys just had great days :) Thanks DwarvenWarrior, oninhagb, UKReader, dearreader, jorja85, WannaBeNinja, SwanInProgress, redhouseclan, Adeleidhis, MNRD, Lady Izel, obsessed reader, and house of the falling sun for reviewing. Noticed my reviewer list is getting longer. Me likes (misuse of grammar totally intentional) ;) Answers to the anons will be below.
Disclaimer: I don't own "Shell Suite" by Chad Valley.
Chapter Fourteen: Shell Suite
They had gotten lost―twice. Twice was too much for Thorin since they had been forced to ask Elves for directions. But finally, after winding through several halls, they had made it to Nori's room. They waited outside as four Elf healers pulled bed sheets over Nori's still form, his face screaming he was biting back a sarcastic retort.
On the stone walls outside Nori's room, were emerald-colored vines snaking up the grooves. Rue touched them gingerly, grinning. They were so pretiful.
Thorin glared at the vines. "Are you as 'enthralled' by the Elf realm as Mr. Baggins is?"
Rue shrugged. "It's pretty, but I…personally prefer the Blue Mountains. It's so beautiful and has that cozy feel. " She turned fifty shades redder, her hand slowly anchoring away from the vines.
She turned, stepping out the way as the four Elf healers left Nori's room.
"Thank you Mahal," Nori sighed dramatically. "One Elf is enough for a day, let alone four." He told Ori and Dori, "How dare you claim to be my kin and allow Elves to touch me?"
"What did you want us to do, let you bleed until you died?" Ori deadpanned.
Out of the corner of Rue's eye, she saw Thorin softly smile. As soon as the Elves walked past, Thorin's smile fell. She crept inside the room first, Thorin right behind her. Something weird was going on. Thorin had smiled twice in the last twenty-four hours.
When Nori saw them, he perked up a little, grinning cheekily. "What do I owe such a visit? My Ori, Dori, it is King Under the Mountain and Miss Rue. You should not have gone to such trouble to get the king to visit me."
Dori chuckled, standing on the right side of the bed, fussily keeping Nori's bed sheets on him as he sat up.
Nori made a snort of disapproval. "Aye, I am not Ori. Get your hands away." He batted Dori's hands away. Rue would never actually say this aloud, but she swore she thought she saw Nori smile fleetingly like he was actually enjoying being fussed over.
His sleeve was rolled up, white bandages swathing his bite marks. Poor Nori.
Rue and Thorin paused at the head of the bed. She covered her mouth, trying not to do something stupid like blubber on, bawl, or hug Nori.
"You're okay, right? They said you would be fine?" Rue squeaked, anxiously leaning over the bed to peer closer at Nori's bandages like they would answer her.
Nori smirked. "I will be fine." He leaned back on the bed, wrapping his arms behind his head, looking pretty damn smug for a person who had just been chewed on by a Warg. "Say, Miss Rue, does this not remind you of when we first met? Except it was Thorin in the bed and us awaiting for his stirring."
"Yeah, uh―it is like when we first met, except…that would make Naji like a Warg?" Rue scratched her head, seriously coming off dumb.
Nori threw his head back, guffawing. Ori gave a little smile. Dori chuckled softly, running his hands over Nori's bandages. Nori rolled his eyes.
"Stop pretending you do not enjoy having Dori's attention," Ori spoke playfully, a little smirk on his lips.
"If I were you, brother, I would take careful heed of what I say. My arm will eventually heal," Nori said pointedly. He watched Rue carefully, his gaze teasing. "I heard from an Elf maid that you shed tears when you were told you could not see me?"
Rue quietly gasped. "In my defense, I was pretty emotional and tired and hungry. I'm still hungry. Um―" Rue rubbed her forearm― "I did cry, but…but―"
"Lass, you are too sentimental sometimes," he spoke nonchalantly. "You and my brothers."
"Excuse me?" Ori asked with some serious sass. "Now I am too sentimental? Well, just ask your other brother to threaten the well-being of an Elf in an Elf realm, all in the name of you."
"Aye, you are too sensitive."
"I will stick your 'sensitive' proclamation right up your jacksey―"
Nori interrupted Ori, "Ori told me in great detail of how you ripped Azog the Defiler's eye out." He raised his arms, jerking his arm forward, trying to imitate Thorin going all Kill Bill on Azog. "Well, if that Orc is still after you, he certainly is the biggest dolt in all of Arda." Thorin remained stony faced, his eyes on fire. Nori blinked, adding playfully, "If he comes after you again, are you going to take his other eye out?"
Rue awkwardly spoke up, "So uh…did they say how long you will be bedridden for?" She was seriously fearing Thorin biting Nori's head off, and it was hard to predict how Nori would react, so―
Nori cocked his head in confusion. "Miss Rue, my arm is injured, not my legs. I will not be bedridden, and even if I was, I would rather be bedridden somewhere in the forest than stay here. Though, I did see one attractive Elf maid…"
Nori had started so good, being prejudice against the Elves, earning brownie points from Thorin. But then he had to go mention attractive Elf maidens. Now Thorin was scowling.
"Alas, the attractive Elf maidens are far too thin." Nori laughed. "I do not believe they could handle this." He winked suggestively, motioning toward himself as if saying, "Muah."
Rue grinned. Sometimes, Nori was freaking hilarious and very un-Middle-earth like. He reminded her of…Barney from How I met your Mother, and―
"We were about to force the Hobbit to ask for directions to your room!" It was Bofur's familiar, happy-go-lucky voice coming from outside the room.
Rue whirled around, stepping away from Nori's bed as Bofur, Balin, Oin, Gloin, Bilbo, Bifur, and Fili entered the bedroom. Bombur, Gimli, and Kili were forced to wait outside. Gimli and Kili were glaring daggers at each other, making soft huffs, arms folded, as they refused to look at each other. They kind of reminded Rue of kindergartners, but yeah, she would never tell either of them that, especially Kili. Not that they would know what kindergarten was.
The company was pretty much squished inside the room; Rue pressed against Fili in a very awkward position, his butt in her way. Damn. Rue cocked her head to the side. Fili had some junk in the trunk.
Rue muttered, "Uh―well, this is awkward." Yep, since Fili's ginormous ass was in her way. As he leaned down to say something to Nori, Bofur accidentally shoved Rue when he raised his arms, announcing how there was free Elvish wine. She stumbled forward, nearly crash-landing against Fili's butt. Dang, from this angle, he sure looked even more bootylicious.
Before Rue really did something stupid, she waved goodbye at Nori, making a beeline for the doorway, saying what felt like one-hundred "Excuse mes" as she passed the Dwarves. Hmm. Where was Dwalin?
She reached the doorway, taking a breath of fresh air while standing next to Kili, Gimli, and Bombur. All right, someone inside that room had some serious b.o. Immediately, she noticed how Dwalin wasn't outside the room either.
"Where's Dwalin?" she wondered, head whipping left and right as she scanned the hall.
"Watching Gandalf," Gimli grumbled. "He does not trust that Wizard and I do not blame him. I would have watched him myself, but…" Gimli ranted on about how Gloin had pretty much grounded him. He didn't use the word grounded, but that was what it sounded like to Rue. Basically, Gimli was not allowed to leave Gloin's sight after the little stunt he pulled during the Warg-Azog confrontation.
She leaned against the doorway, brilliant blue eyes catching hers. Rue swallowed hard, blushing as Thorin gave her a curt nod. Was he saying hello? Gawkily, she waved at him.
Please don't look stupid?
Rue sat on one of the many stony benches populating Rivendell. Vines snaked across the bench, brilliant green plants hovering above her head as she sat near a water fountain.
Her diary was sprawled across her lap as she wrote.
Dear Nat,
I hope Radagast is alive. I mean, he's even tinier than Nori and after what happened to Nori, I could only imagine what one Warg bite would do to the poor little guy. Luckily, Nori's okay. We ran from Wargs, these big wolf-dog things with Orc riders. And then we saw Azog the Defiler. This Orc is The Great Khali size, you know that one wrestler who's from India? Anyway, it's just incredible how Thorin managed to chop off his arm before. I mean, Thorin's not the tallest guy around since he's a Dwarf, but he's so ferocious, so tough…All right, I need to seriously control these impulses to swoon over Thorin. He's just…I like him. I'm blushing as I write this. Earlier, we were at dinner and he told Elrond to "have a firmer handle on your Elves so they stop opening doors to women's quarters whenever they feel is appropriate" since this Elf guy Lindir opened my bedroom door after he knocked once. Thorin came off a little rude (he does a lot of the time when he meets new people) but I was gushing since he cares enough to mention that to Lord Elrond. Lord Elrond is the ruler of this place, so basically Lord Elrond could have kicked us out. Thorin's new sword is called Orcrist, the Goblin-cleaver (so cool!). Gandalf's is called the Glamdring, the Foe-hammer. Decided I'm going to start looking for a name for my dagger. Might go with "Clove-Scarlet," reference to Clove and Will Scarlet. Okay, not really. I just can't think of any names right now. Can't believe I almost died today. We all almost died today. Thorin almost died before he took out Azog's eye (yep, you read that right. Thorin literally ripped Azog's eye out.) I am currently waiting to see Lord Elrond. Thorin's supposed to meet me here. He, Gandalf, Bilbo, and Balin (guess we know who the special ones in our crew are) went with Lord Elrond to get the moon runes read, the little runes on the map of The Lonely Mountain. I'm really nervous. You know, I realize I write about Thorin too much. But I can't help it, Nat. I'm hoping Lord Elrond can send me home. Or maybe we can actually find some answers? Like am I REALLY dead in our world. I miss my cello.
Love Rue XOXO
She shut her diary, shivering when she spotted smidges of Warg blood on the front cover. The bloodstains shimmered underneath the dazzling moonlight. Everything was dazzling here. Kind of unnatural in a weird way.
Restlessly, she kicked her legs, having the sudden craving for fast food. A hamburger, French fries, and a Pepsi. Yum. The consequential American diet. Or the consequential Rue-Rue diet.
Her mouth was watering as she envisioned hamburger patties being charbroiled. Rue thought her tongue was going to roll out or something.
"You should not stray by yourself."
Rue blinked, sitting up straight and jerking when she heard Thorin's familiar, gruff voice. He was standing inches from her right, jaw clenched. Oh, no. Who had pissed him off? Or what had pissed him off? Okay, Rue knew it was mostly likely going to be a who.
"Hey, Thorin. I didn't see you there. I was daydreaming about food," she confessed with a dorky grin, feeling dumb seconds later. Yep, like Thorin really wanted to know that.
"Are you still hungry?" he wondered, voice sounding less rough than usual.
"No. I'm fine." She beamed. "Just pretty anxious about seeing Lord Elrond."
"Come, he is waiting," Thorin beckoned her impatiently, looking grouchy. Rue stood up slowly, feeling all kinds of creaks in her muscles and joints. She tucked her diary in her cloak, catching Thorin's suspicious gaze on it. Not that look.
"Just wrote an entry about the day." Rue shrugged in explanation as they started walking down a narrow pathway, Thorin on her right side. More plants sprouted above them, the sound of rippling water chirping in Rue's ears invitingly.
"Do you only speak of the day when you write?" he asked inquisitively, hands behind his back as they traipsed across more stone paths, past several more water fountains.
Rue's finger was on her chin. "I talk about the day, my thoughts, my feelings. Nothing important." That was true.
Thorin narrowed his eyes on her curiously, nodding slowly, looking like he had a million more questions to ask that he wouldn't dare ask for some reason. He cleared his throat. "I do not wish to prolong this visit. It is awful enough that we must stay here until first light. Now we must speak to an Elf."
Rue was tempted to point out that Thorin had already spoken to an Elf, but she wisely chose to keep her mouth shut.
After seven minutes of winding through the halls, ambling past groups of Elves, making their way past more plants, and having a quick run-in with Dori, Oin, and Bifur, they had finally made it to the largest, most peculiar house in all of Rivendell. Wait. What if there was an entirely different side of Rivendell? Like a north side, south side―
Okay, now that Rue thought about it, how could there have been multiple sides to a settlement inside a valley? Unless the valley was Grand Canyon size.
Light shot through the windowless stone walls, flooding what appeared to be either Lord Elrond's throne room or some kind of Elf museum in moonlight. Torches were lit, the waning firelight casting an eerie glow on Elrond's face as he waited for them at the top of the stairs. His eyes were on Rue first, and then Thorin.
"I was not expecting Thorin Oakenshield for a second visit," he said gravely with the hint of playfulness in his tone.
Thorin scowled at Elrond, remaining the strong silent force he usually was. So would that make Thorin one of those strong silent types? Rue didn't think so. Sure, he was quiet, but he wasn't always silent. Thorin would give these nods and shakes of his head, and would save his breath to say the things that truly mattered. Rue really liked that about him: his words.
Lord Elrond's stern voice startled her from thoughts of her dreamboat. Wait. What? Dreamboat? Rue wasn't from 1955 or something. Um.
They paused at the top of the stairs, Lord Elrond giving Rue a long once over as if sizing her up and thinking, "So this is how they make people in other worlds."
"Gandalf spoke to me of your predicament," he started, gaze critical. "It is strange, indeed."
"Indeed," Thorin said irritably, crossing his arms over his chest.
"What he said," Rue mumbled nervously, hands intertwining. She played with her fingers, not liking Lord Elrond's critical demeanor, feeling like it was only a prelude of worse things to come: like her not being able to return home.
"Miss Offerman," Lord Elrond said carefully, "I know Gandalf thought it wise to bring you here, but there is nothing I can do. This is the will of the Valar; something I would not intervene with, even if I had forces at my control to do such things. The best I can offer is refuge."
It felt like Rue's heart was glass, and had been dropped from the top of a three-story building. She swallowed hard, holding back tears with every ounce of willpower. Don't cry. Not again. She pursed her lips, gazing at her feet, nodding slowly.
"There is nothing you can do? What use of you?" Thorin asked harshly, taking a step closer to Lord Elrond, forming a barrier between him and Rue. Maybe Thorin was giving her the chance to shed tears away from Lord Elrond's prying eyes. Okay, he wasn't prying. Rue was just being a big baby. Her hand was on her forehead, brushing her tangle of messy bangs aside. Her bottom lip started trembling, one stupid tear sliding down her cheek. Meekly, she brushed the tear away.
"I am not an all-knowing being. I regret there is nothing I can do, but I would prefer it Miss Offerman remains in Rivendell during the interim of your quest. The roads ahead are too perilous for a woman, Thorin Oakenshield." Lord Elrond was frowning down at Thorin or maybe that was just his face.
"You think I do not know that?" Thorin snapped, glaring daggers. In a cranky hiss, he said, "Maybe the decision for her to stay would already have been made if your Elves were not so presumptuous and opened doors whenever they feel is right."
Rue gave a quiet gasp. She wished Thorin would drop the Lindir incident already.
Elrond nodded. "I see." His gaze was cold, jaw firmly shut. From his expression, it was clear he was going to let Thorin mull things over, especially the one glaring thing that hadn't been brought up yet: Azog.
"But I uh, I don't wanna stay here," she piped up.
At the same time, Elrond and Thorin turned toward Rue, as if realizing for the first time that she was standing there. No duh. This conversation was supposed to be about her, right, in a total non-arrogant way?
"I meant," Rue awkwardly started again, "that I do like this place Lord Elrond―" She gave a little bow and by the look on Thorin's face, she thought he was going to explode― "It's just I would miss my friends and I can't imagine―" She cast a shy glimpse at Thorin, turning fifty shades redder. "I've been with Thorin for a while now, and it's hard for me not to imagine us being together. I mean, we weren't together when he went to Ered Luin, but at that point, I really, really missed him." Rue rubbed her forearms uncomfortably, daring to look at Lord Elrond and Thorin's faces before squeaking in horror and turning away. What the hell had she just said? Lord Elrond's face had slackened, a comical smirk pulling at the corner of his lips. Thorin, on the other hand, had been stunned, his mouth parting before shutting stubbornly. His eyes were wide, discerning Rue for the truth. He always did that.
"Perhaps you two can discuss your decision later," Lord Elrond spoke a little too airily, something that just didn't mesh well with his whole wise-Elf bravado. Rue swore she saw him smile pointedly at her from the corner of her eye. He cleared his throat. "But there is one more Elf who would take pleasure meeting you, Miss Offerman." Who? Leggy?
Rue's eyes darted left and right. Nothing was there. Just walls. Then she ventured a glimpse past Lord Elrond, seeing an eerie whitish glow come from a woman as she descended from some vine-wrapped veranda. Woah. The woman was tall, striking, long golden hair cascading down her back flawlessly. How in the world did you get hair like that? The Elf woman gave Rue the heebie-jeebies. Something about her was overwhelming, was so achingly all-seeing that Rue felt naked when the woman's blue eyes met hers.
She walked closer, more like glided as though she was some kind of pure or wicked spirit. Rue couldn't decide which one the woman was. The white from her dress was glaring, so unnaturally potent that Rue flinched away.
"Why do you choose such a treacherous path, Ruby?" The woman cooed, long strides easily closing the distance between them. Now the woman circled Rue like she was prey or a very interesting science project. She hoped the latter.
How do you know my name? Hey, what's this chick's name,Rue thought.
And then shit really got freaky.
I know many things. I know that you have already chosen your path. I am Lady of Lorien, but since you are not of this world, I would not expect you to know such a thing. You may refer to me as Galadriel, Galadriel's voice―yes, freaking voice―echoed inside her head. Rue thought she had officially gone crazy or that Middle-earth had suddenly turned into X-Men.
"Thorin, did you hear that?" she asked him frantically. Faint whispers hissed in her ears.
"What do you speak of?" he growled, shooting Galadriel a murderous glare. "What are you doing, She-Elf?"
Elrond raised one hand. "Thorin Oakenshield, it would be unwise for you to refer to Lady Galadriel simply as a 'She-Elf.' She is one of the Guardians of Middle-earth."
Galadriel seemed freakishly passive, gliding in a circle around Rue and Thorin. They defensively kept turning, refusing to let Galadriel remain behind them. She smiled softly at Thorin, not saying one word aloud. Maybe she was talking to him in his head, too?
His face remained the same, which meant probably no then.
He wishes for you to stay because he does not truly believe he can slay Azog the Defiler. I can hear his thoughts and doubts well-nigh screaming, Galadriel spoke in an uncanny hiss. Rue tried to remain passive, looking at everywhere but Galadriel, which kind of made it obvious that Galadriel was the person getting to her.
Thorin stood straighter, his stance completely defensive as he narrowed his eyes on Galadriel.
Rue involuntarily trembled when Galadriel's voice went off in her head again. The scary She-Elf stopped pacing, frozen inches away from Rue. Galadriel stared straight into her eyes, into her freaking soul, too. And then at once, too many of Galadriel's words shot through her head like some arrow, sweat dripping down Rue's face. Her eyes grew wide, gaze falling to the floor. Anything else but those eyes. She felt like in one blink of an eye, her good, bad, and ugly side had been put on display for Galadriel's eyes to feast on all critically. Like Lord Elrond wasn't doing it enough. Okay, Rue really needed to chillax.
Choose wisely, Ruby, for both decisions can lead to unforeseen complications. Suddenly Galadriel was smiling at her. You will make Thorin son of Thrain a very happy Dwarf if you wish to pursue your heart's desires. In time, he will return what you seek out. Galadriel cast a sly glance at Thorin, who was angrily pacing back and forth in front of Rue, trying to be some kind of wall. He has already begun to see you as a friend, which in itself is enough of a feat for Thorin Oakenshield.
What? Eh? Rue backed away, this deer-caught-in-the-headlights look on her face. She shook her head, trying to make sense of the things Galadriel was saying. Return her heart's desires? What heart's desires? Honestly, it was easier to play dumb than to admit what she felt. Oh, gosh. But Rue had already admitted it to herself. She liked Thorin. And the like was only deepening every single day. Wait. Why the heck was she even listening to the voice inside her head? It could be her own voice, her own mind playing horrendous tricks on her. How could Galadriel even do…telepathy? Well, it was Middle-earth. Dragons, Dwarves, and Elves existed. Bilbo had hairy feet. Leggy could use shields as skateboards down staircases.
Then for the last time, Galadriel's eyes seized on hers, her blue orbs pulsing. Thorin Oakenshield will love you like no other Man, Dwarf, or Elf can.
Rue gasped, hands flying to her mouth. That was a cruel joke. Her heart was racing nonstop, everything inside her going tenfold.
Thorin spun around, closing the distance between him and Rue. He stood inches away, eyes defensively shooting from Rue to Galadriel. His closeness was only making things worse.
"What is it?" Thorin growled demandingly, eyes intense as he stood taller, towering maybe a centimeter over Rue. "Tell me what she has done." He sent a glower Galadriel's way, worth the weight of what he usually dealt Naji.
"Nothing." She shook her head, feeling like crap for lying. "I just don't feel good, maybe it's―" Rue felt even more like shit using Thorin's animosity for the Elves to her advantage― "It's the Elf food. I don't think it goes well with me." She touched her stomach to emphasize her "tummy ache."
Thorin nodded. "Elves do not know of decent food."
From the twitching in Elrond's jaw, Rue could tell he was having trouble being the mature one and keeping his mouth shut. She didn't blame him for wanting to tell off Thorin, either.
She shrugged. "That's probably it."
Thorin gave her a long once over, clearly still suspicious.
"Thorin Oakenshield." It was Galadriel speaking aloud, voice sounding majestic―Thorin had to share the word now―and hypnotically melodic.
Thorin turned to face her, scowling even more. Elves really did piss him off. Rue wondered how one Elf―freaking Thranduil―could leave Thorin bitterer than he already had been. Did Thranduil know the affect his betrayal had?
Rue watched Galadriel and Thorin's eyes meet in fascination. All-knowing blue eyes met fiery ones. And then―
Thorin's scowl turned deathlike, bloody murder flashing in his orbs. His entire body tensed, mouth parting. Rue didn't need to ask. She knew Galadriel was talking to him in his mind. Watching it was entirely different. Rue felt defensive, protective of Thorin, afraid of the things Galadriel was saying. Words were life and death to Thorin.
This unspoken chain of fire and ice bled between them. Goose bumps prickled Rue's skin, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Galadriel's eyes were creepily unflinching, and even more penetrating than Thorin's. His expressions started to change drastically, from anger, to defensiveness, to shock.
Everything felt like it was in slow motion now, Rue's knees going weak. Oh, crap. Crap. She sucked in a painful breath. Watching Thorin like this was painful. He refused to flinch from Galadriel's gaze, but her stare, her words, seemed to be crushing him.
Time seemed to pass achingly slow, when in reality these were just seconds―minutes passing.
Thorin blinked.
His jaw was clenched tight, hands balled into fists. Thorin whirled around, storming down the staircase.
Rue stole a glance at Galadriel, muttering, "What did you say to him?"
"That is for only him to know."
Then like using an invisibility cloak, Galadriel was suddenly gone, Rue and Lord Elrond left all alone.
Instinctively, Rue fled down the stairs so fast, she almost fell twice. Thorin. Please let him be okay?
When Rue found Thorin, he was standing by the bottom of a different staircase. His shoulders were tense, his arms crossed over his chest as he ventured a quick glance at Rue. She swallowed hard, keeping almost a foot between them. Maybe she should have thought things over before she came running here? Sometimes, Thorin got in these broody moods where he needed to be alone. Why was Rue an idiot? Thorin's back faced her. 'Course he knew she was there. She could never sneak up on somebody if her life depended on it. One of the first things Rue had learned during the quest was that if she were in The Hunger Games, she would have been so dead for trampling around like an elephant.
"Why do you seek me out?" Thorin growled, refusing to face her. Checkmark for "he is really, really mad."
She shrugged. "Umm…I was just―" Rue used the back of her hand to wipe her nose. Was she getting sick? Talk about the crappiest timing, since she was on a quest to slay a Dragon. How was she supposed to confront Smaug if she were sick? Wait. Rue had never officially been given a contract or anything. Shamefully, she gazed at her feet. All she was doing was inviting herself on a quest that nobody wanted her to be a part of. Lame.
"Just what?" Thorin snapped, turning, his heated eyes on her.
Interlinking her own fingers and refusing to meet Thorin's eyes, Rue whispered timidly, "I just wanted to know if you're okay."
Fleetingly, she noticed Thorin stick his chest out as if to prove the point "I am okay." His hands dropped by his sides, his nostrils flaring.
"What of my well-being?" he hissed bitterly. "I am fine, Miss Rue." Thorin spun back around, the signal for her dismissal. Damn that hurt. Gruffly, he said, "Go to your quarters. Dwalin and I will keep guard on your room." He was still mad over the Lindir incident. Thorin could hold the tiniest and biggest grudges. His grudge against Thranduil was a big one. His grudge against Lindir…well, uh, that was questionable judgment.
She sucked in a breath, suddenly insanely nervous. Because Rue wasn't going to listen. Sure, she was passive most of the time, but right now she was determined to make sure Thorin was okay, determined to make sure he got a good night's sleep. Poor guy never slept well.
Rue took a step-forward, opening her mouth to speak. But her words didn't ring throughout the air: Gandalf and Lord Elrond's did instead.
Thud, thud, thud, they were climbing up the stairs above them.
"There is a strain of madness that runs deep in that family," Lord Elrond said.
Silence. Heavy silence.
"Do not look at me in such a way, Gandalf. You know I speak of the truth. Thorin Oakenshield's grandfather and father fell victim to gold-lust. The Dragon Sickness. Do you think not he will succumb to the illness?"
Their voices carried as they continued to ascend the stairs.
"He is aware of the things that could happen upon his entering of the mountain," Gandalf answered coolly.
Rue froze in her spot, scared shitless. Thorin stood rigid, fingers curling in and out repeatedly. They were talking about him. About something called the Dragon Sickness? What the hell was the Dragon Sickness? It sounded like gold-lust, like―
She went to cover her mouth, but stopped, refusing to show her shock. Rue remembered. The day she met Thorin and the Ri brothers, she recalled Dori telling her King Thror's gold had attracted Smaug…Rue remembered how Balin had said King Thror thought there was gold in Moria…
Too soon, Gandalf and Lord Elrond's voices became nothing but faint echoes. There was silence. The kind of silence that away at your limbs, that made it impossible to walk, tolled the air like a grandfather clock. Silence. Silence.
In a flash, Thorin whirled halfway, bellowing, "Did you not hear me the first time, woman? I said leave!" Half his face was cloaked in moonlight. Thorin's expression was dark, hurt, monstrously angry, lips curled in a feral snarl.
Stumbling backwards, she squeaked, "Okay!" Rue turned to run, but decided to chance it once again like an idiot. Her words left her mouth before she could even think things through.
"Elrond'swrongyou'llbeokaysorry."
She then ran like the wind down the opposite corridor.
Awkwardly, Rue wiped the sleepiness out her eyes as she stood on the outside of the company, standing by Mr. Hobbitkins out of all people. It was too dang early. They were gathered on a veranda of some sort, where the entire company had slept last night. Except for Rue, who had only been given a room because she was a "woman." Call her an idiot or unappreciative―maybe it was the fact she was up at five in the morning―but she thought it was unfair that Gimli, Ori, Kili, and Fili hadn't been given rooms. They were kiddies.
Bilbo leaned closer, whispering, "Word is that you met Lady Galadriel of Lothlorien. Is it true?" His cute eyes were big in envy. Lothlorien made Rue think of the DeLorean from Back to the Future. If she went to Lothlorien, would it take her back to the future? Lame joke.
"Yeah, I met her," she said humbly. "Galadriel is scary. Like she makes Freddy Krueger look like a Care Bear."
"Who is Freddy Krueger?" The name sounded hilariously awkward on Bilbo's tongue.
"A character that's a child murderer."
Bilbo blinked in confusion, shutting his eyes, opening them a second later. "What?"
Rue opened her mouth to answer―
"Miss Rue."
Oh, shit.
She spun around to find Thorin standing behind her, his hands behind his back, expression positively peeved.
Rue nodded. "Hi."
Thorin beckoned her with a curt jerk of his head. "Come."
Bilbo was open-mouthed as Rue followed Thorin down the corridor. The sun hadn't even risen yet. Damn, they sure were leaving early.
She peeked over her shoulder, Bilbo giving her a tiny wave and a sad smile that spelled out, "Hope he isn't too hard on you."
Rue and Thorin walked side by side down two flights of corridors, not stopping until they remerged outside, heading for the same exact spot Rue had been yesterday when Thorin had met up with her before they went to see Lord Elrond.
Heavy silence ensued. They traipsed to the bench, passing several leafy trees and patches of exotic plants.
Rue sat down on the bench first, butterflies beating against her rib cage like the excited little buggers they were. Thorin sat down next.
She restlessly kicked her legs, scared as hell after what had happened yesterday when they last saw each other.
Leaning forward nervously, she sputtered, "So―uh…Rivendell looks nice this time of year." Rue vaguely gestured at the trees, realizing that had been the wrong thing to say since Thorin hated Elves. Intertwining her fingers, Rue apologized quickly, "S―sorry. I'm just nervous." Her eyes were on her hands. Rue didn't have the guts to stare at Thorin.
"Why are you nervous?"
Rue sat straighter, turning to face Thorin. His eyes were heated as his gaze traveled over her face, searching for answers.
"You know." She shrugged.
Thorin shook his head, completely serious. "I do not know." He was prodding for her to explain with a pointed look.
With a nervous glance down, Rue noticed their thighs were inches apart. For the first time, she really saw Thorin's thighs. They were sturdy, strong, and so, so manly. Everything about him was manly. His hands, forearms, and face.
Rue really didn't want to lie to him. She admitted timidly, "I meant after what happened yesterday…"
Thorin was quiet, the silence prolonging and deafening. She rubbed her forearms, the cold morning making goose bumps form on her arms. Okay, Rue had to say something.
"If it means anything, I think Lord Elrond is wrong," Rue blurted. Oh, crap. Word vomit. Quietly, she squeaked, covering her mouth. She ventured a glimpse at him, surprised when Thorin's face…was softer than usual.
He nodded once. "It does mean something." Thorin's voice was different, splintered throughout brief syllables. Eh?
She blushed, butterflies flooding her tummy, all of them doing a happy dance. Collectively, they gazed at the nearest water fountain, the ever-increasing sunlight peeking out over a line of houses. There was comfortable silence.
"Rue."
Thorin had used just Rue. Again. Oh, wow.
She turned to face him. Thorin was leaning closer, eyebrows furrowed, gaze…regretful. His hands were splayed uncomfortably across his lap.
His blue eyes met hers for a brief second before falling to the bench. "You will remain in Rivendell."
Rue blinked like a deer-caught-in-the-headlights. What? Come again.
Lamely, she said, "But…but Thorin, what about―" What about what? Thorin's obligation to her was finished. He had taken her to the Shire. Check. And had finally gotten her to Rivendell. Double check. Whatever stupid fantasies Rue had of her and Thorin together forever was nothing more than a pipe dream. But damn did it hurt. Her chest felt swollen, lungs hot, throat dry. Don't cry.
"The quest is too perilous, Rue," he said unusually quiet, refusing to meet her eyes. "It is best you remain here. Kili and Gimli will also stay behind." Kili and Gimli?
She nodded, hating the tears welling in her eyes. "What if I don't mind the danger? I don't want to―" Rue wiped her eyes― "I do think Rivendell is pretty and I appreciate Lord Elrond's hospitality, but I can't imagine―" She stopped talking at once. Oh, gosh. Rue had been about to say one of the most cliché things ever: "Being away from you." Even as she tried to force herself to find it hilarious, she couldn't. Since she really meant those lame words.
"You are a woman," he growled softly, eyes whipping toward her heatedly. "I will not have you harmed under my leadership."
And because she was Rue and couldn't help it, she started crying. Silent sobs. Was that all that mattered to Thorin? Rue stared ahead, hating the trickle of never-ending, irrepressible tears.
"I did not mean―" Thorin's voice broke her emo thoughts― "Miss Rue, please do not cry."
Thorin moved closer, his thigh pressed against hers while he looked on in worry.
Rue shook her head. "I'm sorry. Just I thought―" She sniveled. Oh, gosh, how could she even bring herself to say it?
"Thought what?" Thorin asked intently, eyes carefully flitting across her face, his arm hanging on the bench's headrest behind her as he scooted even closer. It didn't seem like Thorin was aware of how close he was.
Rue swallowed hard, piping up, "I thought we were friends." There. She said it. Rue stared at everything else but Thorin. He was going to crush her. Because the thought of Thorin ever agreeing they were friends was a ridiculous notion. Yep, like he would really be friends with her.
"We are."
Wait. What?
Rue was open-mouthed as she faced him, expecting some kind of sick joke, but he was entirely serious. His lips were pursed tightly, steely gaze unflinching.
"We are?" she sputtered in disbelief.
He peered at his lap uncomfortably. "You have proven loyal and honorable." She had? That was news to her.
"Oh," Rue simply said. She peered ahead, blinking. They were…friends?
"Goodbye, Rue."
Thorin was suddenly standing awkwardly, which was weird in itself since Thorin was never awkward. Rue stood up, facing him, outstretching a hand. A handshake. Like that was smooth.
His eyebrows furrowed in confusion at her hand. Did people in Middle-earth not shake hands?
"Sorry, it's something from my world," Rue spoke clumsily, dropping her hand.
"I have seen the race of Men do this before," he spoke gruffly.
Then suddenly, Thorin's hand shot out. He was…willing to shake hands with her?
Rue giggled, her hand trembling slightly as she slowly extended her hand. She was inching closer and closer, and then―
Her hand was intertwined with his as they shook hands. Oh, gosh. The feel of his strong hand in hers was overwhelming, left her dizzy. His fingers were so thick they buried hers. Thorin's eyes were on hers, never blinking once, the intensity of his gaze making her knees go weak. He was handsome. He was brave. Damn. Why did Rue have to fall in like with a Dwarf in Middle-earth? Now he had to leave her…
They stopped shaking hands, fingers still interlinked as they just kind of held hands for a second time.
Rue swallowed hard, eyes glistening from her tears. "Thank you for everything. You never had to help me, but you did and that―" She hiccupped, sounding pathetic― "Thank you for putting up with me, for helping me get here. I know―I know I can be annoying."
"Do not ever forget how you were once willing to marry that Man in my regard," he spoke intensely.
Their eyes dropped to their entwined fingers at the same time.
Rue murmured, "Goodbye, Thorin."
"Goodbye, Rue."
Then their fingers slowly, achingly parted, his fingertips brushing against hers. Thorin put a few inches between them, suddenly bending down in a…bow.
Rue giggled since he was a king and that was pretty cool. Too soon, he was gone. Rue sat on the bench all by herself, bringing her knees to her chest. It felt like she had been stabbed in the heart fifty different times.
Author's Note: Will this be goodbye forever? *Pearl Primrose teasingly cackles like she's a witch* You'll just have to wait to find out. I decided to add the part in from the extended edition. I couldn't help myself. Please review and let me know what you think! Remember to follow me on Tumblr at pearlprimrose.
Dearreader: Thank you for reviewing! Glad you're enjoying my story. Yep, there will be a time when Thorin has his woman LOL and be very happy ;)
Redhouseclan: Thank you for the review :) I always love your awesome reviews! Hyperventilating, fainting, and stalking? I feel like the accomplished author LOL! Thanks again!
Obsessed reader: This was my face after your review :D
I feel like you really get Rue and Thorin―or what I was going for. I've never thought of my writing as vivid, but thank you! Wounded souls is a description I very much like. In my head, Rue trying to bolster Thorin's ego makes him feel really good (happy deep down inside), and so he wants (doesn't realize it) to help Rue gain a little self-confidence. You said they are what the other needs! Awe, thanks so much.
Thank you for the really detailed review :)