Author's Note: I'm sorry. Very sorry. Please forgive me? It's been a month and I sincerely apologize. The last month has been a really rough patch in my life. Things have gotten better, but that's a big part of the reason why this update took so long. And I've been working way more now. I really hope the next update doesn't take as long as this one, but I don't want to make promises I can't keep. Thanks LG176, DwarvenWarrior, pervychan1, znk99fg7 (thanks for all the messages on Tumblr! They pushed me to hurry and finish when I was lacking motivation), fairys have tails, Firverilin, Lalaithiel, Wings of Tears, Loulou, lathalea, Kcaelle, chm36, dearreader, uno mega, Crystal, anna. pantelarou, filimeala, Filiafamilias, Antheila, THE WALKING sexy AMC, SwanInProgress, biddle29, Redhouseclan, Guest, Indigo Scrawl, Dandalf the Disco, Luinwen-2013, Lolcatzlola, MistressLeia24, UKReader, Queen of Erebor, kitcat12, katchile94, Guest, Guest, TheHobbitFanatic, Ardnamurchan, and 1D1Directioner for reviewing. And also thanks for all the follows and favorites :)
-This chapter is dedicated to znk99fg7 who waited so long.
Disclaimer: I do not own "Don't Fear the Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult.
Chapter Thirty-One: Don't Fear the Reaper
This had quickly turned in to one of the worse days of Rue's twenty-two-year-old lifespan. But now that she thought about it, she was probably twenty-three now. Her birthday was in July. Anyway, that didn't change her current predicament.
She had been stuck by Naji's side the entire day. And ever since―ever since her and Thorin had kissed―she'd been the butt of every joke by Naji and other humans.
Rue had heard them all day.
"I did not know he was tall enough to kiss you properly."
"Will you be wed and birth Dwarf children? Disgusting."
"Cannot believe what I had witnessed."
"As soon as he sees gold, he will forget all about you."
That had been the cruelest one-liner she had heard all day: As soon as he sees gold, he will forget all about you. It had come from a cute, old lady Rue had thought was initially sweet.
Silently, she kept one barstool between her and Naji as they sat inside a tavern. The tavern was in celebration over the news of the quest. Barmaids were handing out free drinks and serving free meals. Rue carefully grabbed whatever food she could and stowed it away in her backpack. Who knew if Naji would make sure, she was fed and it wasn't like she had any coin on her? Rue would probably have to steal. Whatevs. At this point, she didn't give two shits about this town. She wanted to strangle everyone here. The prejudice humans had against Dwarves―specifically Naji―made her sick to her stomach.
Sitting with a foot of space between her and Naji didn't help things.
"Your hair remains atrocious," Naji spoke airily. "Some things never change."
With desperate, wild eyes, Rue searched the tavern. Her gaze shot to where a throng of people surrounded one table. For thirty minutes now, ever since the Dwarves had walked in, people had been buzzing around their table. Rue could see Bofur loving the attention while Dwalin would hate it.
Rue couldn't keep her eyes off his. She kept finding brilliant blue eyes―Thorin's. He was hunched in his seat, clearly uncomfortable with this pre-empt "celebration." Never had she seen him hunched over until now. Rue swallowed hard. It was probably the pain from the―
Rue closed her fist, fingers trembling.
"We are to be wed, Ruby. Therefore, I demand you sit closer."
All she heard were words. Meaningless words. Thorin's eyes were on hers again, comforting, warm, angry, and worried all at once.
"Did you hear me?"
Rue blinked, broken out of her trance.
Naji nodded, deciding to move himself. He was one barstool closer. Rue leaned away from him as he leaned closer.
"Do not think staring at the Dwarf will end our courtship."
She shook her head, refusing to look at him. Don't give him that power. Rue's eyes caught the flash of Thorin's war piercing hanging around her neck. Stupidly, she smiled and―
"What is that?"
Oh, no.
Before Rue could shift away, Naji had caught hold of the war piercing, staring at it with heavy disgust.
He wrinkled his nose, casting a furtive glance Thorin's way. "Do not dare tell me it is the Dwarf's."
Silence. Rue remained silent. Something awoke inside her: the instinct to fight back.
"Let it go," she hissed, jerking away and trying to snatch the invaluable war piercing out his ugly hands.
"Is it the Dwarf's?" Naji asked, his voice steadily rising.
"Pu―pu―please let it go," she practically begged, tempted to punch his closed fist. He had clamped his hand shut around the war piercing.
"Pu―please," he mocked, sneering. "I do not adhere to what you or any woman says, Ruby. But you adhere to what I say. I shall be your husband in no less than a week's time. And you bearing such a possession of another man's is deriding me."
The only words that sunk in Rue's head were, "I shall be your husband in no less than a week's time." No less than a week's time? Crap. Rue felt like she was going to vomit all over the place. In a week? She couldn't imagine being Naji's wife in that short of time. Actually being Naji's wife felt like being sentenced to Azkaban―like she was going to be sucked into eternal depression by dementors. She had to fulfill her bucket list or something by then. Rue had to do everything she had ever dreamed of doing before the wedding. Wedding. Rue nearly retched.
"Release it."
The deep growl in his throat made chills go down Rue's spine. Whenever he sounded that angry, crazy things went down. Rue thought of the first night she had ever seen him. At the end of Thorin and Naji's first confrontation, Naji had ended up beaten up, bruised, and humiliated. There could be no repeat experiences here.
She remembered what had happened to Thorin hours ago. Her entire body felt broken―bones crushed, ribcage nonexistent, lungs full of tar.
Rue turned. Thorin stood by her barstool, one hand clenched by his side, trembling in his rage while his other hand protectively squeezed her shoulder. She leaned against his touch, scared as hell.
"So she may bear another man's possession as though she has pledged herself to him? I think not."
Thorin leered. "I do not wish to repeat myself."
"No less the man is a Dwarf. It was humiliating enough as I was forced to watch her lips against yours in the most impure form of lust―"
It was like a bomb had been set off.
Thorin jolted forward, forcing himself between Naji and Rue. At the same time, Naji stood up, yanking the war piercing with him. Rue felt the chain dig into her neck before―
It broke. Suddenly, Naji had a handful of the war piercing and chain, eyes gleaming savagely like a tiger's.
Rue grabbed at her neck, at the empty space on her chest. Now only the key to Erebor remained with her. The war piercing. She blinked once. Her chest was heavy, heart hammering cruelly. No. Rue shook her head. No way.
She swallowed hard, sucking up all the pain.
"IT IS RIGHTFULLY HERS!" Thorin bellowed, turning red in the face, quivering in anger. The harshest hatred flashed in his eyes.
Naji chuckled scathingly, tossing the war piercing on the ground.
Diving for the war piercing, Rue's hands scrambled awkwardly on the ground. She saw two shadows moving for each other wickedly fast on the floor.
And then without warning, Naji's foot was in front of her face, toes honing in for the war piercing and chain. Crap. He was going to crush her hand with his Sasquatch-sized feet.
Daring to peer up and meet Naji's figure, Rue was shocked to find Thorin's hands pressed against Naji's chest in a violent shove.
She snatched the war piercing, standing up quickly. No Thorin. He couldn't do this here. They needed supplies to reach The Lonely Mountain. Erebor meant everything to him.
Naji was flabbergasted, shaking his head, and shouting, "How dare you touch me!"
By then, most of the tavern had heard their conflict. Naji's yell sounded ten times louder―absolutely deafening in the hush that had fallen over the room. Rue ignored the array of unfamiliar faces, finding the familiar ones instead.
Fili and Kili were out their seats, looking on in worry. Kili shuffled in indecision while Fili leered at Naji with the utmost animosity. Gimli had risen out his seat, too, trying to fend off Gloin's hands. Rue couldn't blame Gloin for trying to stop his son from getting into more trouble.
She wiped her nose. Rue had caused them enough trouble to last a lifetime.
Only four people headed for them: a middle-aged man looking peeved as hell, Balin, Dwalin, and Bilbo.
The middle-aged man stepped in between Thorin and Naji, pieces of his black, straggly hair flying everywhere in his wrath.
"Both of you leave. This is my tavern―" He pointed savagely at his chest― "I do not care who son you may be or for kings who lavish in gold." Straggles took quips at Naji and Thorin.
Rue swore she could see a vein throbbing in Thorin's temple, ready to burst at any given moment. He reached for Rue, Dwalin already stomping for the door, making a path for Rue and Thorin to follow.
Naji came at Rue with a start, but was quickly blocked by Balin's diplomatic figure.
She heard Naji say something along the lines of Rue being his property or whatever. Yeah, right. Rue blinked, throat swelling with sick realization. Since Naji was from the race of Men, marrying him might actually mean she'd be his property…
Bits and pieces of Balin's words buzzed in her ear as they neared the door.
"It is best if you and the lass spend some time apart for now. Having a row in this tavern will bring dishonor to your dear uncle."
"Dishonor?" Naji hissed in response.
And those were the last words Rue heard before arriving outside. Gusts of cold wind kissed her burning cheeks. She wiped her nose with the back of her hand for what felt like the umpteenth time.
This entire day had been too much. All she wanted was to sleep in front of a fire―out in the woods―with the company and Thorin by her side. Was that too much to ask for?
Several different pairs of eyes followed her, the people of Lake-town keener than ever. 'Course after earlier, everybody was going to be watching them. Everybody had already been watching them.
Thorin crowded Rue right away. Relief flooded her. At least they were out of that damn tavern, no longer "celebrating."
His hands went to her shoulders, gently squeezing them. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Dwalin, Balin, Kili, and Fili make their way out the tavern, waning sunlight casting shadows on some of their faces.
Rue stood taller, trying to calm down. She inhaled. Exhaled.
Thorin brought her closer. All too happily, she nearly closed the distance between them, feeling safe.
He opened his mouth, the strings of words starting, "Are you―"
The tavern door burst open once more.
There was Naji.
He stomped for them, both hands clutched into fists, an ugly sneer on his face.
"Ruby, I will no longer allow you to fraternize with Dwarves."
What. The. Hell.
Rue shook her head. "Give me a moment, okay?" Her voice trembled in unprecedented anger. "Haven't you done enough already?"
She was seriously tempted to punch him at the end of that sentence. Going into ghetto mode right now was definitely inviting. Rue could get in his face and shout, "Do something." Countless times, she had seen people in Stockton do it, and then cap the person in the face. Naji deserved to get capped in the face after everything he had done to them―to her.
Thorin carefully pulled her closer. "She keeps her gift."
"I think not," Naji deadpanned.
Bitch. No one really gave two shits what Naji thought.
"I keep it," Rue piped up. "That's all I want."
The creak of the tavern door opening interjected everything. Rue spun around, not surprised as Bilbo vigilantly tiptoed outside. His eyes were big, like deer-caught-in-the-headlights.
Turning back around, she caught Balin giving Thorin a nod before―
Balin was suddenly standing in front of her. "Lass, we will go inside."
She felt Bilbo behind her, his hands on her shoulders, leading her back toward the tavern. Balin rounded on her from the front, also attempting to guide her back into the tavern.
"No. Wait. What? What are we doing?" Rue half-stuttered, half-whimpered in terror.
Trying to escape Balin and Bilbo, Rue lurched forward a little, involuntarily dragged the rest of the way back into the tavern.
She heard the door creak again, panicking.
Naji and Thorin met each other halfway, standing chest-to-face, intense animosity eating the air. Kili, Fili, and Dwalin loyally remained by Thorin's side, leering at Naji like he was a piece of trash.
Rue was being bustled inside, stepping forward in her last attempt to stay outside.
Oh, no.
Naji opened his mouth, saying something Rue couldn't hear.
All hell broke loose. Thorin turned a violent shade of purple, lunging forward, big hand balled in a fist.
Then that was when the door closed.
Damn.
Rue was left half-sobbing, half-wondering in a stupor.
The next two days didn't get much better. Rue only found solace in isolation. Fortunately, she had been spending most of her time staring out her "new" bedroom window, watching the celebration for Thorin and the company unfold. Colorful banners of dragons dying hung off houses. The smell of cooked, rich foods wafted through the air. The Middle-earth version of confetti was tossed around, joyous laughter ringing throughout the streets for hours. Vaguely, Rue wondered if referring to Lake-town roads as "streets" was okay?
Being alone was…depressing, but so much better than being forced to spend time with Naji.
As cliché as it was, Rue felt like Rapunzel. If Rapunzel had crazy hair of course. She was trapped in this room all day―by choice since the alternative was hanging out with Naji―waiting for Thorin to…
She shook her head, sitting on the bed with a harrumph. Rue didn't know what she was waiting for. Burying her head in her hands, she realized she was lost, too far gone in the head.
Rue pined for that damn diary. It would've been cathartic to write out all her grievances, to be able to bitch and complain about the last two nights. Every night before Naji went to bed, he came here to remind her of the impending day of doom, drunk as a skunk.
Not this night. Rue shook her head. She couldn't deal with one of his reminders for another night.
Each night she peered out the window, Rue swore she saw Thorin standing next to an old building across a small waterway, keenly observing the Master of Lake-town's house. She guessed being the "bride-to-be" meant it was perfectly okay for her to stay in this dreadful house.
All hours of the day, she could hear Alfrid running up and down the hall, complaining about Bard as he attempted to find new ways to feed the Master of Lake-town's greed. The asshat was one of the greediest people she had ever met, and that meant something coming from her world and all.
Standing by the window, nothing but blue-black inky sky met her eyes. In the distance, the snowcapped Erebor lined against the horizon. She leaned against the window, sighing in defeat. For the first time, she realized she would never see Erebor. The thought was extremely depressing. Tears nearly sprang to her eyes.
Rue's chest was heavy. She was morose―defeated. After everything, she had been through to get here…
All the bumps and bruises, sights and long nights and millions of fears; after so much, Rue would never get to step inside Thorin's future kingdom.
It hit her like a thunderbolt.
After this week, the company would leave to Erebor, and she'd be stuck here, Naji's bride.
Suddenly, Rue wheezed for much-needed air, nails clawing at the wall helplessly. She would never see any of her Dwarves again.
She would never see Bilbo again.
And―
Rue swallowed hard. She would never see Thorin again…
It felt like everything inside her flat lined―dead.
A shadow―a silhouette―caught her eye outside.
Rue leaned forward. It was the same person―possibly Dwarf?―by the old building by the waterway.
That was it.
She flew out her room, running like the wind. Rue darted down two halls, the cast of moonlight shining from the window lighting up her pathway. The house was thankfully deathly silent. Her feet created a soft pitter-patter rhythm as she bounded down a flight of stairs, and then she was heading outside.
Rue crept down the front steps, panting. What if she got caught? If the person was Thorin, she could get in trouble. He could get in trouble. Too emotional. That was what she was.
A few people bustled by, hiding their faces in dark cloaks, walking past her stealthily like they were trying to hide secrets of their own. Rue guessed she wasn't the only one up to creeping around.
Passing by few buildings, her heartbeat picked up. The shine of water loomed closer and closer. Rue squinted, trying to take a closer look. For a fleeting moment, she swore she saw no one by the building. It felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. Rue hurried, hugging herself―
She stopped dead in her tracks.
He was there.
Her mouth hung open. In the back of her mind, she had thought she was being delusional, making up things to cope with everything.
She blinked, drinking in the sight of Thorin's dark hair. He had already noticed her, standing taller, lips parted in dismay. No longer did he blend in with the building.
Rue closed the short distance between them, the heel of her foot meeting the edge of the lake for a brief moment. She stumbled, gaining her posture back.
Thorin was by her side fast, shaking his head.
"You should not be here."
"Neither should you," she piped up weakly.
His Adam's apple twitched. "I have been here ever since―" The sentence was left unfinished as he awkwardly gazed toward the left. Rue didn't need to hear the rest of the sentence to understand the meaning. She felt like her heart was going to skyrocket out her chest. He had been here ever since she'd left with Naji in the first place. Did that mean―
Rue met his steely eyes, feeling timid as she held onto her arm.
"Have you been out here every night since?" Her last word sounded like a halfhearted squeak.
Thorin's eyes softened, steadying on her, pulsing in their intensity. Goose bumps riddled up her arms, butterflies fluttering like crazy in her stomach.
"Yes," he spoke huskily.
A pleasant shiver shot up Rue's spine. She moved closer to Thorin, watching him in awe. He was amazing; truly, utterly amazing.
"You're sleeping, right?" Rue squeaked. "I mean, you've been sleeping, right?"
Thorin averted his gaze, his silence answer enough.
Rue was nearly flush against him, hands going to his shoulders. "You've been watching m―" Her words were left unfinished, mouth open in a silent O.
"You do not know what that man spoke of," Thorin growled.
She wasn't sure if she wanted to know.
"What did Naji say?" Rue prodded, standing closer to Thorin, loving the feel of his hand as he placed his palm on the small of her back. Naji must have said something to make Thorin think he needed to watch her at all times.
He shook his head. "It does not matter."
Frustration seeped through her. Why was Thorin not telling her? And then it started to make sense. Naji must have said whatever he said two days ago when Bilbo and Balin practically forced her inside the tavern.
Peering into his eyes made Rue forget the last two days―made her forget her fate. It was too easy to pretend everything would be okay when Thorin's brilliant blue eyes guided her like a sail leading a boat in a heavy storm.
Her arms settled around his waist and―
Rue went for it.
She lunged forward, hugging him desperately, hands buried in the garbs of his pelts. There was a soft intake of breath from Thorin before he returned the hug, arms clutching her tightly.
Rue stole an innocent peek at him, cheeks burning up.
Leaning forward, she whispered in his ear, "I think we should go somewhere more private…"
Thorin pulled his head away from her shoulder, blinking in confusion, mouth parting. A second later, she realized how dirty her words sounded. Crap.
Quickly, Rue rephrased her meaning, turning fifty shades redder.
She stammered, "I uh….uh…um…I didn't mean it that way. It's just I don't want Naji or the Master of Lake-town to see us. Not that I think the idea of that with you is disgusting, I mean―" Rue was nothing more than a tongue-tied mess. Her words sounded completely idiotic. Not that Thorin didn't already think she was an idiot.
The faintness spots of red stained Thorin's cheeks. Was he blushing? Okay, it was probably a trick of the light.
In a flash, Thorin's expression changed from slightly embarrassed to fierce.
"It does not matter if that man sees us together," he grunted, arms protectively surrounding Rue's waist. "Nothing will stop me from making true you do not dwell here."
"I don't want anything to happen to you again."
Rue's hands traveled to his chest, settling there instinctively. "Please?" She was beginning to think she might have to get on her knees and beg or make some neurotic display of pleading. Damn. Dwarves did have too much pride.
Thorin suddenly moved closer, leaning forward and―
His lips met her forehead in the lightest of kisses. Rue's body was in near-spasms, heart palpitating like crazy.
She blinked up at him like a moron.
"If it is your wish…" He trailed off, huffing quietly.
Rue nodded.
Awkwardly, they pulled apart and Rue had no clue what to do―
So she interlaced their hands together, discreetly leading Thorin past the waterway. Buildings flickered past and soon they were walking side-by-side, hand-in-hand. Were they like…courting? Rue constantly went from stealing not-so-secretive glimpses at their conjoined hands to keeping a lookout for anyone lurking around this time of night. She was giddy―little kid giddy from realizing she was holding hands with Thorin. Blink. Rue was stupefied. She was actually holding hands with King Under the Mountain―Thorin. Wow. She hadn't felt this giddy since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows had come out. All right, it was lame to compare what she felt for Thorin to her love of Harry Potter. Or was it?
They kept walking for what felt like a longtime, but was probably only ten minutes in reality. Rue's stomach was tied in knots. She kept imagining the millions of scenarios of being caught with Thorin. They didn't stop walking until―
Gently, Thorin tugged Rue down a path between two houses.
"Where are we going?" she asked quietly.
"Somewhere…more private," he said huskily.
There were man-made bushes―the bushes must have been man-made―crowding a stone bench surrounded by the lush of two trees. Gosh, it was a beautiful place. The bushes kind of reminded Rue of chia pets. Weird comparison.
Treading for the bench, Rue shyly gripped his hand tighter and sat down.
Thorin sat next to her moments later; sitting so close his thigh was flush against hers. Instantly, she remembered Rivendell, remembered feeling devastated after finding out she wouldn't be able to return home, feeling like crap after being left behind. And it had all started on a bench.
"Are you cold?"
Rue turned to face him, shaking her head. "No…um…I'm okay."
What were they now? Ungracefully, she scratched her head, probably resembling a monkey in a zoo. At this point, she felt like a monkey in a zoo, her zoo being the Master of Lake-town's house.
Thorin nodded.
She noticed that they were still holding hands, Thorin's hand burying hers. Gosh, his palm was so warm, grip tense―tense in a good way.
"Thank you for―" She swallowed hard― "For watching me. I thought you guys…I mean I thought you guys were too busy celebrating―"
Without warning, Thorin faced her, hands reaching for her cheeks. His thumbs stroked her jaw, stroked her chin. Oh, gosh. She was beyond nervous.
"You will always come first, Ruby. Do not―" He shook his head― "You are my first priority, along with my kin. Nothing else."
The way Thorin had worded his sentence brought reality to fruition. She sat erect, eyes wide in terror, fingers digging into the bench. His words, You are my first priority, along with my kin made Rue think of The Lonely Mountain. Oh, no. She felt nauseated.
Rue had to tell Thorin if she liked it or not. Even if telling him would ruin their time together, so be it. Time was of the essence. The cliché saying was totally true.
"Thanks for saying that," she squeaked, lips quivering.
Thorin held her face closer, nodding once, hot breath grazing her lips.
"Do not thank me for such things."
The tip of his thumb met her chin in the gentlest caress. Rue shivered from the pleasant sensation shooting up her spine.
Say something now before―
The intensity in Thorin's eyes softened as he tilted his head to the side. He loomed closer, hands covering her face. At once, Rue felt his forehead against hers, and the whisper of his lips almost meeting hers―
"Thorin, listen," she spoke up, peering at him in horror. He stopped leaning forward, pulling back a little ways. All right, Rue needed to calm down. No way did she want Thorin to think that she was afraid of him.
He looked on in worry, sluggishly creating more distance between them. "What is it?"
"We need to talk about―" Rue swallowed hard― "Lake-town. About what…what happens in the book."
Thorin stiffened, his eyes scanning her face for something. Damn. Rue imagined how Thorin must have been feeling. He must have thought he heard the worse of everything after Rue had told him about his death, but now…
"Are you saying something happens to Lake-town?" Thorin gently inquired.
Rue bit her lip, feeling the ends of her teeth break into flesh.
"Yes," she uttered.
At once, the roar of wind was too loud despite being only breezy earlier. The wind pounded against her ears relentlessly. Pound. Pound. Pound. Rue wasn't sure if that was her heart or the wind anymore.
It felt like the words were torn from her throat.
"In the book, Smaug destroys Lake-town. He burns everything―and it causes a lot of problems. I know you read the end, you read the part when―" Rue couldn't say it. Thorin didn't need to be reminded of his death again. She continued morosely, "This is part of the reason why the―" Rue leaned closer to whisper, her voice dropping low― "The Battle of Five Armies happens."
Warily, she searched their surroundings for any faces, for any ears. What if someone had overheard? Rue shook her head. There had been no one out here before.
The shock on Thorin's face made Rue want to double-over. When he had been temporarily feeling better, she had to go and remind him of the doom and gloom of the situation.
To his credit, he took the news better than she had ever hoped. Thorin remained in silence, eyes wide as he looked ahead. She followed his gaze, spotting The Lonely Mountain in the horizon, triumphant against the night sky. She felt sick all over again.
For a long while, they sat in silence. Rue restlessly, slowly swung her legs back and forth, fiddling with her hands nervously.
Please say something, was at the tip of her tongue. She wondered if she should grab Thorin's hand or touch him or do anything else. Rue was officially a dumbass.
The silence was rushing against her ears.
Rue gulped.
Finally, she spoke.
"Thorin…I'm sorry. Please―please say something? Anything?"
The words sounded pathetic to her own ears. Rue was facing him halfway, parts of her unruly hair covering half of her right eye.
Long moments passed. Ever slowly, Thorin turned to face her, face grave. Never had she seen him look so old. The gray in his hair stuck out like gray yarn. The crow's feet around his eyes were beautiful―true signs of wisdom.
"It is not your place to apologize." He shook his head, slightly perplexed. "What you speak of is…difficult to ponder over. All I can think is―" Unexpectedly, Thorin's hands were interlaced, shoulders hunched as he leaned forward, face twisted in distraught― "Perhaps I shall consider an alternative option."
"What is that?" she muttered, placing her hand on top of his forearm.
The tension forced his forearm to grow taut. Rue could feel every creak and crack in his forearm.
"Not going."
Two words. All it took were two words for the breath to be knocked out of Rue.
"No," she spat the word before she could think. "You sacrificed too much―we―all sacrificed too much. Smaug can't stay in there forever. Thorin, you're meant to get your mountain back and…and…we'll have to figure out a way for Smaug not to come to Lake-town then."
Rue seriously had thought Thorin would argue with her, but instead he remained in his slump position, completely defeated.
"If you are in Lake-town…" Thorin trailed off.
He didn't have to finish his sentence for Rue to understand what he was trying to say.
"If I'm in Lake-town or not, we'll figure out another way. Thorin―" Desperately, she reached for his shoulders, gaining much-needed courage and tossing her arms around him.
The tension left him at once as he returned the hug. Rue inhaled and exhaled a million times better with the feel of his heart beating against her head. Her nails dug against his pelts in urgency.
Gosh, she loved him. Loved him too damn much.
They hugged for what felt like hours.
Rue's nights became the light of her pitiful existence. All right, she really needed to make a bigger effort in feeling better about herself. But it was hard to when she was trapped between the same ol' four walls all day.
Balin was the first to find out Rue and Thorin were seeing each other in secret.
Maybe it had been because of Rue's silent tears that Thorin decided to take their secret meetings a step further. Who really knew? She had tried with all her might not to cry, but some days it was just impossible to keep all her fears at bay.
They had been sitting at the bench again, Rue pathetically wiping at her eyes when Thorin spoke among the darkness.
"Come on."
Rue had blinked back tears, the blurriness parting ways to reveal Thorin's extended hand. He had been offering his hand.
She had taken his hand and then allowed Thorin to lead the way. He always lead the way.
They had walked through vacant alleyways, taken a shortcut to get to the house the company was staying in. At first, Rue had been too dazed―too damn emotional―to realize where they were going. It didn't hit her until they had actually traipsed into the artsy-fartsy house to find Balin on a white chair in the first room.
There was blood-red fire burning in the fireplace behind him. Balin's eyes lifted from the pages of a yellow-tattered book.
Shock flickered in his eyes. His orbs were as wide as saucers, mouth slightly parted.
"Ruby," he breathed in dismay.
Awkwardly, Rue gave a tiny wave. "S'up."
What else was there to say after everything that had happened? Man, she was an idiot. She at least should've said, "Hello," like a normal person. What was "normal" anymore?
Straightaway, Balin's gaze shot to Thorin, eyes as piercing as a hawk's―accusatory and sharp at the same damn time.
"Do you not know what could happen?" Balin uttered neutrally in spite of the intensity his eyes were dealing Thorin.
Thorin's Adam apple twitched. Defensively, his hands formed into fists as he stood straighter.
Rue walked a little forward, trying to diffuse the tension. Think of something clever to say.
She opened her mouth to speak, but―
Thorin beat her to it.
"I know what could happen, Balin. I know what could happen if Rue is with that vile man," he spat, leering at Balin with sudden wrath.
"Umm…well…uh…we all know what could happen. Lots of things could happen," Rue piped up, attempting to play peacemaker.
Her words seemed to fly over their heads.
Balin and Thorin's eyes were on each other's―in some kind of stare down. When had Balin become Thorin's stare down target? Everything was happening so fast―too fast.
Wistfully, she hoped one of the Dwarves would wake from their sleep and come staggering down the stairs. Or maybe if any of them were out in the taverns, they would choose this moment to come stumbling in. Where was Bilbo? Probably sleeping, too.
Balin cleared his throat, the abrupt sound making Rue jolt and stub her toe on the wooden floor.
"Thorin, could you give me and the lass a moment's time? I have not had the chance to greet her properly."
The fire crackled. Balin relaxed in his seat while Thorin shifted his weight from one foot to the next in indecision. Balin wanted to be alone with…her? Oh, no.
Thorin ventured one last glance at Balin, and then his eyes traveled over to Rue in keen observation, as if believing for a split-second Rue and him had some type of secret pact excluding the company and most importantly―Thorin.
The reproach in his eyes waned. She exhaled softly, feeling a million times better at once. Rue never wanted Thorin to think she was hiding things from him. Trust and loyalty meant everything to him.
Reluctantly, Thorin nodded. "Of course."
He faced Rue, one hand on her forearm affectionately while the other hand―his finger―pointed at a door leading to what Rue assumed to be another room.
"I will be in the kitchen. Go there if you no longer wish to be in…here," he spoke gently.
Rue only managed a nod, her hand momentarily covering Thorin's for a few seconds. Hesitantly, his fingertips slipped from her forearm.
And then Thorin was heading to the kitchen, giving Balin mistrustful, furtive peeks before the door slammed shut behind him.
The room was drenched in silence. Balin and Rue were alone. Never did she think that it would be this…awkward?
The corners of Balin's lips upturned into a smile right away. Eh?
He motioned to a chair adjacent from his. "Lassie, come sit. Please."
In less than a minute, the mood in the room had gone from awkward to lighthearted. She sauntered to the chair, sitting down with the slightest creak resonating. Balin was the definition of a diplomat. He was a social mastermind; knew how to make someone feel comfortable at the drop of a hat. But why was he trying to make her feel comfortable all of a sudden? It was quite the change of heart compared to minutes ago when he seemed very against Rue even being here. And then Rue started to ask herself a difficult question that made her stomach turn. What was Balin's motive?
Balin leaned forward, grinning while he patted her shoulder. "We have all dearly missed you, Rue."
Rue started to crack, swallowing hard, letting her stupid emotions bubble over.
"Me too. I missed you guys, too," she admitted. With every last ounce of mental strength, Rue struggled to ignore Balin's blatant―manipulation, kindness with a cause?―she wasn't even sure what he was trying to pull anymore.
"You have been brave," Balin spoke gravely, the smile dropping from his face. Now she was talking to the real Balin.
He meant what he had just said. Honestly, Rue thought the rest of his words beforehand had been phony―meant to make her comfortable in preparation for a discussion.
"After what happened to Thorin, I can't―" She shook her head― "I hate what I have to do. I'm scared, Balin, but what you guys have to do means more than one person. I know I can do it." All right, realistically she thought if she kept telling herself she could marry Naji, then she could do it. But at this point, Rue started to suspect she would become Middle-earth's first runaway bride.
"I hate seeing what you have to do. Thorin hates it―hates it more than I have ever seen him hate anything." Now that was saying something. Hate fueled Thorin.
Rue nodded solemnly, unsure of what to say. How was she supposed to vocalize that she loved Thorin so much―loved them all so much―that she was willing to marry whoever if it meant they could reclaim their mountain and get supplies?
Balin pursed his lips, eyes glazed over in deep thought. He started, "Perhaps―I should not even speak it." He was shaking his head.
Say what?
"Say what?" Rue asked, half-frightened of the answer.
Balin's eyes dropped to the floor, giving the fireplace behind him a once over. Ever slowly, he met Rue's orbs. "Perhaps it is better if you remained in Lake-town; for we are heading to―" Balin grinned humorlessly― "We are marching to our deaths. And you shall still live."
Words clawed at Rue's throat: but you'll succeed, you'll have The Lonely Mountain back and Lake-town will burn, Smaug will die and there will be a war. Mute. Rue stayed mute. But what if things changed? Events had already proved different from the book. Gimli had never gone on the quest, had never almost died. Azog had never been in Mirkwood. So what if Lake-town didn't burn? What if Smaug never died?
Balin continued, "Thorin wishes to find a way to bring you with us, for he says Naji is more perilous than Smaug. I cannot say his words are untrue. Naji is…that Man is wicked. And the Dragon is wicked for it is his nature."
Rue finally found words she could speak.
Jumping up from her seat, she spoke desperately, "Thorin…he…he thinks he can protect everyone. I know that. Sometimes, though―" Rue swallowed hard― "He needs protection. Finally, after all this time, I can do that for him―for you guys." Rue wiped her runny nose with the back of her sleeve. "You guys need supplies more than anything…and I can do it. I can get them for you." Yep, a marriage for supplies. It sounded like marriages from the older days or from other countries, where a daughter's hand in marriage would cost a cow or two. Rue cost a few supplies…
Balin peered up at her, looking proud out of all things. "I admit I was wrong."
"Wrong?"
"When Lord Elrond said there was no way for you to return from the world whence you came, and you were told to remain in Rivendell, but you did not adhere, I feared for you. I thought the road was too perilous for a woman, let alone a woman from the race of Men. I see you, Ruby. I truly see you. You are not defined by your race. You are simply…Rue."
Rue's jaw dropped. Balin had just given her a bucket load of compliments, right? She repeated his words in her head, trying to make sure she had heard correctly. He was the last person she ever thought would speak so highly of her. It was staggering, but welcoming.
Balin playfully smirked now. "It is no wonder why the King adores you. You are very dear to him."
Awkwardly, Rue started to walk backwards, giving a half-shrug and half-wave. "Ummm…it was nice talking to you. Thanks, Balin. I―ummm―" Rue spun around, pushing the door open― "It was nice talking to you."
The door closed behind her and Thorin stood in the kitchen, arms folded tightly, eyebrows knitted.
His arms fell to his sides, eyebrows relaxing. Rue smiled, hoping she wasn't blushing. But her face felt hot. Damn.
"Are you all right?" Thorin asked softly, stepping closer. Carefully, his eyes scanned her body head to toe, hands steadying on her forearms.
"Yep, me and Balin were just catching up," Rue squeaked, yawning. "Tired, too. I'm really tired." She was mentally exhausted from Balin's reminder of choices to make―of things to come.
Thorin watched her more closely, seeming doubtful of her answer, nevertheless he didn't push the subject on.
"It is time for you to sleep," he said, tripping over the word sleep.
Great, Thorin had to walk her back to Dracula's castle already.
Rue yawned again. "We're going back there already. I wanted to stay a little longer…I mean…if you don't mind?" More like stay forever if Thorin didn't mind?
Thorin averted his gaze, a deep red color flushing his cheeks. "It was not my intention to walk you to the Master of Lake-town's house."
"I can sleep here then?" Rue wondered too eagerly, sleep clouding her vision. "I thought all the rooms were taken. But I guess I can sleep on the chair down here or sleep on the floor somewhere."
"The rooms are all taken."
Rue's mouth formed the question, but luckily, the words were caught in her throat when she finally understood the implication. She turned fifty shades redder. But where? had already left her lips.
Thorin uttered, "My sleeping quarters."
Author's Note: After a month, it's finally finished! I feel so accomplished :D So what do you think? I know compared to last chapter a lot less happened, but I thought this chapter was more of a stepping-stone in a new direction the story is about to head in. And important things needed to be addressed―like Lake-town burning. Nori and others will be appearing in the next chapter *hint hint*. I was a little sad they weren't in this chapter :( Anyway, please review and tell me what you think. Follow my Tumblr, pearlprimrose, for any "Heroes" news or if you just want to watch me miserably fail at re-blogging LOL.
Lalaithiel: Thanks for reviewing :)
Bard is not exactly working for the Master because he likes it…:D I don't want to give any more away in fear of spoiling my plot line, so that's all I'll say. Within the next few chapters, the Bard plot line will unfold. Awe, thanks for saying the rest of the chapter was amazing! I like the "Fancy Pants McGee" nickname haha.
Loulou: Thanks for the review :D
Awe, I got two Wows! Wow :) I'm gushing. Thanks for enjoying the kiss that I was stressing over big-time.
Dearreader: Thanks for taking the time to review :)
I'm so happy you said it was worth the wait :) Oh, I agree with you. Even if Rue and Thorin were like in a barn for example or anywhere else, they would've been in their own world while kissing, completely consumed by their feelings for each other. Oooh, better than candy on Easter morning? I managed to beat Easter candy!
Crystal: Thanks for the review!
Hahaha! I love the start of your review. I will wholeheartedly make sure Naji gets his, so don't worry about that :) But the skinning idea is tempting…JK!
Biddle29: Thanks for reviewing :)
I'm hoping I did something right since you hate him so much. Awe, I didn't think anything in this chapter would make someone nearly cry. Thanks so much :)
Redhouseclan: Thanks for dropping a review :)
Did you have so many feels that you had to go into Gollum mode? I hope so haha! JK. Yep, finally after all this time they kissed.
Guest: Thanks for the review!
Hmm…I guess I should've written the kiss better then? Well, I'll take this as indirect concrit and run with it. Nice to know you enjoyed the story unfolding though.
Guest: Thanks for the review :)
Your review really warmed my heart to be honest. And made me feel guilty for taking so long to update :( It gave me the kick in the pants I needed to stop watching Destiel clips on YouTube and to finish this chapter. It's hard for me to believe you're swooning over my portrayal of Thorin since I feel he's so emotionally complicated haha, but I'll take that as a compliment! Thanks again for leaving this review.
Guest: Thanks for reviewing!
Haha! Your review is simple and to the point! I love it :D
TheHobbitFanatic: Thanks for reviewing :)
You're back :p If your neighbor is like Naji, then I think that's why a lot of bad things have been happening to him. Your friends are going to Singapore? I'm sorry :( My friend is heading to Utah, two states away and I'm a little sad. Can't imagine how you must feel.
Thanks again :) Hope I cheered you up again.