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*Out of doubt, out of dark
When Eilin woke up that morning after struggling to fall asleep almost until the break of dawn, the first thing on her mind was to check on the King. The thought got immediately discarded as it was not her place to impose unless he asked for her services. Her eyes fell on the bells that were connected to various rooms the King occupied, like his bedroom, his office, the great dining room, the conference room and the throne room. Not one had ringed all night. Equally silent they were this morning. When she decided to get dressed and go out to check on things she didn't expect the commotion she saw at the King's Halls. Lords Balin and Dwalin were conversing with Lord Dain and they all seemed deeply drawn into whatever was occupying their minds. She walked towards Lord Balin feeling certain that the King's advisor would know if the King needed her for something this morning, but the Dwarf-Lord's grim face quickly broke her stride.
Then she saw three men of the King's company whom she recognised from the night she slept amongst them. It was Lord Dori, the kind Dwarf with the polite manners and the meek young boy Ori. The other one with the pointy hair, the elaborate bear braids and the cunnings eyes she didn't like so much and she didn't remember his name either. She decided to approach them instead and inquire for information. They at least didn't seem as preoccupied as the other company and she doubted one of the masons, the random soldiers or the newcomers would know about the King's whereabouts better than his own people.
"Good morning masters." She bend the knee as gracefully as she could.
"Well, good morning young lady." Dori turned to her with a pleasant smile.
"I am sorry to bother you, but do you know where I can find the King? I am his maiden."
Nori pursed his lips. "No one knows where he is this morning."
She frowned. "What?"
"Dwalin saw his bed made and untouched. He didn't sleep there last night. He said when they returned the previous evening, Thorin made it for the royal hot springs and Dwalin notified his maiden to take him some clean clothes. Oh wait...that's you then!" Dori suddenly realised.
Her stomach bubbled up with anxiety. "I saw the King at the hot springs indeed. I assisted him with the dressing of his wound and then he dismissed me. I have no idea what he did afterwards." Why was she suddenly feeling so guilty and above all why didn't she hide in the shadows in order to follow him last night? She's done it before on the Princess' orders. Why not do it again last night when she saw how out of sorts he sounded and looked. She cursed his ability to unnerve her, because that is what caused her to run and hide back in her bedroom after he dismissed her. If she had remained a little more composed like she did when he ran off at Ravenhill, she would have known his whereabouts now.
Dori sighed. "Yes, didn't think you'd know much dear girl. It's mind boggling really. Only a couple of days ago he was delirious in bed and now the old Thorin is suddenly back."
"He really worries me." Ori was fidgeting with the sleeves of his tunic.
"Don't worry son, Thorin can hold his own. If he is well enough to walk alone out of his room and even work on the burial grounds, then I think we can safely say that he is not in any immediate danger." Dori reasoned.
She looked up quickly at that.
"He worked at the burial grounds?" Nori asked.
"Dwalin told me." Dori said.
"On whom?" Nori frowned.
"I don't know and neither will my upbringing allow me to ask such personal questions. If the King of Erebor decided to offer manual labour in order to bury someone, then that person must have been important to him. Now now with the questions." Dori warned his cunning looking comrade.
"You chose the easiest way to get rid of my questions, didn't you?" Nori crossed his arms.
Dori ignored Nori and turned at Eilin with a kind smile. "Anything else we can help you with young lady?"
"Do you perchance know where is the Princess?" She asked with ever growing trepidation.
"At the great dining hall along with a couple of pretty looking ladies who arrived yesterday from the Iron Hills." Nori smirked coyly.
"Thank you!" She said and walked quickly to the direction of the dining hall trying to control her nervousness. The king did look peculiarly off sorts last night, but on the other hand his wound was okay and he didn't seem ailed physically more than usual. Maybe something serious befell him then. Something that could have been avoided had she remained close by in case he needed her. Another wave of fear and guilt gripped her stomach as she opened the door to the dining room. There her worried eyes found Bofur's happy countenance. He raised his hand to notify her of his presence and she waved back absently as she rushed to the table her lady was occupying with the daughters of Fain and Lieutenant Dongar.
"My Lady." She curtsied and cast her eyes at the floor respectfully.
"Eilin..." Dis' gaze fell on her, defeated and bloodshot. She was barely able to sit upright on the chair.
"Is this Eilin the stable girl? What happened to her? Did she get acquainted with the hot springs?" Karunn raised her brow testily.
Eilin felt her skin crawling with apprehension.
"Shut your insolent mouth! As if I don't have enough problems this morning with my brother missing!" Dis warned and Karunn looked away loftily.
"Don't be angry with my sister, my Lady. She probably feels shocked to see Eilin without a hood and so willing to speak." Valdís observations seemed more carefully expressed.
Dis' tone was dismissive and cold. "Then she should address her questions more politely." -Her eyes bore heavy dark circles and her countenance looked sullen. She turned at Eilin and her gaze softened slightly- "Tell me they've found my brother please."
Eilin shook her head feeling her heart sinking. The one who she hoped would give her some news, expected news also. "No, my Lady."
Dis' demeanour took a plunge to the abyss and her lips paled. Lieutenant Dongar took hold of her hand and patted it gently. "Steady, my Lady."
Dis didn't pull her hand free and her eyes pierced Eilin's. "You saw him last, didn't you? Dwalin said he send you to him when they returned from the burial grounds."
Eilin nodded.
"Was he alright?" Dis' voice broke.
"He looked tired but well, my Lady. I dressed his wound and was dismissed. I haven't seen him since." She replied quietly.
"Maybe it's my fault." Dis muttered.
"Why say so, my Lady?" Dongar asked.
"I had an altercation with him yesterday morning and we parted in bad blood. I cannot bear the thought of losing my brother also. I simply cannot." Dis' spoke under her breath and leaned back. Dongar's arms drew her on him and she didn't resist.
Karunn turned angrily at Eilin. "What are you standing there! Bring her some water now!"
Eilin jerked up, shocked into silence.
Valdís looked at her sister. "Keep your voice down sister!"
"Look at her, she is not moving at all. I said bring the Princess some water now, you hairless freak!" Karunn snapped.
Eilin felt her eyes overflowing with tears and rushed to fill a glass, when a heavy hand landed on her shoulder and kept her in place. She turned her blurry eyes and saw Bofur's gaze forestalling her. "Don't move."
"Who's that now?" Karunn frowned with spite.
"I am sorry but unfortunately this girl cannot serve anyone apart from the King." He said and his hand kept her still even though her body tried to move several times towards the direction of the water tumbler. She felt the whole room watching at them. That's what she was afraid was going to happen the moment she saw Karunn yesterday.
"What?" Karunn's lips turned down in disbelief.
Bofur's finger touched the sigil on her sleeve and forced Eilin to face Karunn with a straight and proud posture that the maiden held with great difficulty. "This is Thorin Oakenshield's sigil, my Lady. I'd be very careful how I address the King's personal maiden."
Karunn's face fell in shock and her mouth dropped open. She had nothing to say to this declaration.
"Oh, sweet Mahal that was unexpected." The younger sister exclaimed, but there was no anger in her voice. Only surprise.
"I cannot believe this." Karunn whispered.
"I have enough on my mind already to care about your silly antics!" Dis was choleric towards the oldest daughter of Fain.
Karunn pulled back and cupped her cheeks. "I am sorry, my Lady. I was not informed."
Valdís raised her brow at Eilin. "The King took you in his service then?"
Eilin felt her whole body shaking with a sudden adrenaline rush. "Yes my Lady, but only temporarily."
"Temporarily or not it remains to be seen, but when she is not in my brother's service she is in mine, therefore you all watch your language towards her. Is that clear?" Dis glowered at Karunn.
The lofty girl averted her eyes and pretended remorse. "I am sorry Princess, I didn't act according to my upbringing. I shouldn't have spoken thus, but my worry about you made me imprudent. Please forgive me."
Dis waved her off. "Stop speaking, enough."
Karunn threw her eyes at the tabletop regretfully in front of Dis, but she was reserving a fleeting look of hatred towards Eilin's loose red curls when no one was looking.
"Shall I assist you with anything, my Lady ?" Eilin tried to speak with a steady voice.
"No, just inform me immediately when they find my brother." Dis muttered.
Eilin bowed deeply. "As you command my mistress." She said and walked to the door.
Bofur's hand stalled her. "Will you not join us?"
She shook her head. "I need to find the King."
"Come I'll join you." He said and waved at his brothers to follow them, but only Bifur stood up. Bombur decided to remain and finish the rest of his food. After a few silent moments Bofur spoke to her. "Why the hell did you let that rukhsul menu** speak to you in this manner?"
She rubbed her forehead. "She was my mistress back at the Ironhills you know."
"She's not your mistress now! Thorin stands higher than any other Dwarf-Lord in Middle Earth. You take orders only from him and not even his sister can overstep that." Bofur reasoned.
His calm statement hit her like a ton of bricks and she suddenly felt shocked beyond belief. "Hell...aren't you right?." She muttered.
"Which means you can tell anyone else who tries to order you around to…go and hump a Halfling's armpit!" Bofur smirked.
She chuckled at the image and all the tension tore away from her body. "I will try to remember that..."
"Don't let me see you so broken in front of anyone again. If the Longbeards judged you worthy enough to serve them, then you should be proud. Words like hers shouldn't evoke tears from these beautiful eyes anymore, alright?" Bofur smiled kindly.
She nodded and a bright smile slowly came up to her lips.
"We haven't found him yet?" Gloin drew back the reins and the two large war rams stopped close to the entrance.
"Do you see him anywhere?" Balin threw his hands in the air.
"No need to be snarky, I've been in the treasury taking care of his orders all morning." Gloin hurled back.
Dwalin eyed the contents of the carriage curiously. "What are all these boxes for?"
Gloin raised his brow. "If Thorin hasn't told you, then I am not going to tell you either."
"I thought we were one company! What the hell is wrong with everyone all of a sudden?" Dwalin barked.
"The treasurer is not keeping company with anyone but the King. When I take off that profession, I can be your companion Dwalin. Thorin signed orders and now they are ready for delivery. The rest? Ask it off of him!" Gloin thundered and crossed his arms.
"At each other's throat again…" Nori raised his brow feeling mildly amused.
"Everyone seems so tense." Dori rejoined with a troubled frown.
"I am more anxious than tense, is that normal Dori?" Ori asked concerned.
"After all that we've been going through I think you are reacting perfectly well my son." Dori responded with a soft caring smile.
Dain was looking critically with his brow raised up to his hairline. "How in the name of Mahal did my cousin manage to regain the Lonely Mountain with you lot at his flanks…"
Dwalin turned at him furious. "Where were you then when he asked for your help and you turned him down?"
Dain's face darkened. "I feared the dragon's wrath as my Kingdom lays close to Erebor. Do you think me wrong in choosing the safety of my people? Look at what happened to Lake Town."
"That was not our fault!" Dwalin came up to his face.
"Now pull back cousin and check your attitude. I love you, but I am too tired to handle you patiently. When you raise a dragon and chase him out of his lair, you can expect comeuppance. I didn't want this to fall on the IronHills!" Dain took hold of his war hammer and came up to his face likewise.
"Now now, I feel furs crawling with anger here also, what the hell?" Bofur intervened. He was accompanied by Eilin and his brother and everyone turned their negative energy towards the newcomers.
"Whilst you were away eating a hearty breakfast and making yourself flashy for the ladies, the rest of us were working all morning! Also Thorin is missing or haven't you noticed?!" Gloin snapped at him.
Bofur raised his brow. "Shut up your red headed troll barf! I didn't cause your problems!"
Bifur cursed Gloin angrily. "Ozirum menu seleku!" ***
"Oh, you tunnel worm!" Gloin snapped and jumped off his carriage. In three steps he was on Bifur's face. "I'll forge the moth-eaten soul out of you!"
Dwalin and Dain were still on it's other faces, not backing up an inch either.
"It'll be interesting to see how this one goes down." Nori snickered at Dori who pursed his lips annoyed.
"With many broken heads…" Dori replied and cleaned his pipe with his finger disinterested.
"Tell me, why didn't we realise that Fili was missing also?" Balin's voice was composed and didn't seem bothered by the tension around him.
All looked around in momentary confusion.
"That's bloody well right. What the hell?" Dwalin said looking lost.
"Also Nori, did you check on Thranduil's gift this morning?" Balin asked never taking his eyes from the road.
Nori looked thrown off tracks. He uncrossed his arms and his self certainty wavered. "That black beast? What would it need this morning? It had enough water and food. Why would I check on it?"
"Because we'd then have known that it was missing along with Thorin." Balin pointed at the road with his head and a smile of deep relief was painted on his lips.
Dwalin came next to him and squinted for a few seconds before a wide smile appeared on his mouth. "Pompous ass almost gave me a heart attack."
Dain raised his head and laughed heartily. "That's them alright."
"He is riding the Kharib**** alongside Fili." Balin shook his head.
Nori crossed his arms thoughtfully. "Do you think he will keep Thranduil's gift then?"
Dori flicked his shoulders. "If he chose to ride it, I'd say there's a pretty good chance."
"Care to wager on it?" Nori raised his brow.
"I'll bet ten pieces of silver, for." Gloin pulled back from Bifur the moment he whiffed the opportunity to gain some money.
"Put me a hundred, for." Dori took out the gold.
Eilin observed them partially amused, as all those male hormones and anger quickly dissipated under this new interest.
Bofur noticed her bewilderment. "Don't give us any notice, we are always like that."
She pressed her lips.
Then he threw his pouch at Nori. "Fifty silver, against." He yelled.
Nori took over all the bets and just before Thorin came into clear view, Balin threw his pouch above his shoulder without even turning around. "Seventy silver, for." He said.
Dain laughed heartily. "Put me down twenty, against." He said, just as Thorin's company approached half hidden behind a dusty curtain. Fili was next to him, on a rather tall brown pony and they both had a rope tied at the side of their animals. They were pulling behind them a hand carriage that was filled with personal belongings and people.
"Dear Mahal…they are not alone..." Dain whispered, but Dwalin was already running towards the newcomers.
"There are more people behind." Young Ori said and followed Dwalin.
Balin and the rest walked towards the incoming company also. Indeed there were several men, women and children walking behind the carriage. Covered in dust and blood, they looked disheveled and totally exhausted. Eilin gave Bofur one apprehensive look and instead of coming out to wait for the King she run the opposite way, into the mountain. Bofur thought about following her, but Nori dragged him out by the sleeve.
Dwalin and Balin were the first to reach Thorin and Fili.
"Are you ok lads!?" Balin said out of breath.
"Let me help you down." Dwalin offered at his best friend.
Thorin shook his head and alighted alone. "I can manage."
"Where the hell have you boys been all night? We've been searching for you like crazy!" His advisor sounded cross.
"Couldn't sleep. Found Fili and we went to the stables. Rest is history." He sounded exhausted.
"Where did you find them?" Dain pointed with his chin at the people who had stopped behind the King.
"We saw torches near the training grounds and decided to check them out. They've been migrating from Ered Mithrin. They were attacked by Orcs as usual. Most have small injuries, but three of them are in a more serious condition. The woman laying in the carriage, lost her baby on the way here." Fili said.
Dwalin frowned. "Thorin you shouldn't have gone to the training grounds, not yet."
"Take care of the people." -Thorin overlooked his friend's solicitude- "Especially the women. Tell Oin to offer them clean lodgings and medical care quickly. They all need food and rest."
"What about the Orcs?" Dain's voice was heavy.
He looked at his cousin long and hard. "Do we have enough men to spare for a division?"
"We can gather one regiment, but we will have to empty Erebor." Dain said carefully.
Thorin shook his head. "We need manpower with all these people coming in. How many battalions can you gather?"
"Two to spare easily and keep another two to secure the perimeter and Dale." Dain raised his brow.
Thorin nodded. "Take over one and check all the way up to the roads that come down from the Grey Mountains. Send another one along the River Running. Tell them to help back all the wounded families and to evacuate any scattered villages that are on their way. We don't want more innocents wounded."
Dain gave him a strict nod. "Yes, men Uzbâd!"
Dwalin steadied Thorin who was wavering slightly. "Why are you holding your stomach so tight?" He whispered discreetly.
"Because if I don't I feel like my insides are going to spill onto my boots." -Thorin bit back and then turned to Balin- "Escort the refugees to the midland vaults."
Balin nodded. "Yes my lad."
Thorin looked over at the woman who was half conscious in the carriage. Ori and Oin were giving her first aid and Bofur with Bifur were helping her family. He untied the rope from his horse just as Fili came over. "Shall I go with Dain uncle? I can take over the second battalion."
"That would be a good idea." Dain raised his brow.
"You are not well enough to engage in battle, no." Thorin shook his head and led his horse to the entrance slowly unable to shake Dwalin from holding his elbow, but also knowing that he was in danger of collapsing if he did.
"I am well enough to ride with you." Fili frowned.
"Your mother is preparing your dead brother for a funeral, I won't bring her back another dead son, no." His jawline tightened painfully.
Dain crossed his arms and remained silent.
"You are treating me like a child and I am not!" Fili sounded cross.
Thorin pulled his arm away from Dwalin and grabbed Fili's forearm. "You are the next King of Erebor if I fail. You will not die in the midst of an unimportant battle in the Grey Mountains just in order to escort back refugees. I will not have to answer for your death to Dis. Enough!" He hissed.
Fili's eyes filled with tears and he reciprocated the tight hold. "Let me do my job as the next King of the Lonely Mountain then uncle. If I am to fall, then I shall. Trust in me please."
"I don't trust life anymore to be fair with me." -Thorin frowned as he muttered those words almost breathlessly- "I won't lose you."
"You cannot keep me locked up forever." Fili shook his head.
Dain looked at his boots and so did Dwalin.
Thorin closed his eyes in defeat and inhaled deeply. "Is your wish to go with Dain so dire?"
Fili nodded. "I want to help those people, yes."
"And I need the help of good leaders." Dain's steady voice tried to help out.
Fili threw him a grateful gaze which Dain reciprocated with a knowing smile.
Thorin's mind overflowed with images of his dead nephew and his fingers grabbed Fili almost possessively. "Don't make me come find your dead body." His deep voice held a steely tone of warning.
"I will not, but I am afraid my departure might be forestalled by others." Fili's brow came together in annoyance.
Thorin looked up to see what drew his nephew's attention and sure enough Dis was coming to them with an air of defiance surrounding her. She was escorted by two ladies he had never seen and her maiden. His eyes fixed on the girl and thinned as he felt ripples of anger crawling on his nape. He saw her standing at the entrance when he was riding back. She was there amidst the rest of his company and instead of coming out to help them, she decided to run back inside and inform Dis...only resulting in creating more problems on top of the existing ones.
"You may have allowed me to go, but mother may have a different opinion." Fili raised his brow critically against his mother's obvious displeasure towards them.
Thorin lowered his head and braced himself for the impact.
Dain came forth and raised his hands. "And just when I was thinking that I had to find a good time to introduce to you my two nieces! Welcome Valdis and Karunn, let me meet you the King of Erebor!"
"This is not a good time." Thorin whispered and his eyes burned through the bowed head of Eilin till the moment his sister came up to him and demanded his attention.
"Where have you been?" She snapped at his face.
He raised his brow. "I didn't know I had to answer to you about my whereabouts." His nose flared.
Dis drew up proudly, but her eyes were full of tears of worry.
"Mother you are out of line." Fili warned her.
"You too…you've gone missing along with him! I was worried sick! You both disappeared on me a few of days after you managed to escape death! Do you think what you did is wise?!" Dis spat at their faces not caring that everyone could hear them, nor that her attitude was not the appropriate towards the King outside closed doors.
His hand disentangled from Fili and grabbed hold of her bicep way too tightly drawing her close to him. "You will control yourself in front of all these people." Came the quiet command.
She swallowed hard and nodded discreetly, only then realising her folly.
Then he turned to Dain. "This is not the best time for introductions cousin. Do your best, but do it quick."
Dain cringed and beckoned the girls forth. "This is my youngest niece Valdis and her older sister Karunn. Beloved girls and iron maidens from the very bowels of the Iron Hills. You cannot find more tough yet beautiful ladies in my stronghold Thorin, I can personally assure you."
They both bend the knee. "An honour to meet such a legend, your Majesty." They said in unison.
"And an honour to meet you too. Pray forgive my brashness, but this is not the best time to give you the attention you deserve. I hope your lodgings are satisfactory?" He tried to sound polite even though his skin was already rippling with anger towards his sister, but especially towards Eilin who brought her here.
"More than satisfactory my Lord." Valdis peeped at him under her long lashes. Immediately her cheeks caught fire and she averted her eyes.
"I am glad you have found out accommodations to your liking. Now will you please allow me and my sister some privacy to discuss some family matters?" His smile was forced.
Karunn and Valdis looked around them uneasily. "Of course my Lord, forgive us…"
Balin intervened since Dain straightened up and looked offended by the clear dismissal. "You just caught up the King in the most unfortunate circumstances. I am sure he will find a good opportunity to catch up with you at dinner. Tonight maybe?"
Thorin glared at Balin but nodded and offered them a forced smile. "Of course it will be my honour."
Dain smiled pleased. "You heard the King. Tonight at dinner! Now off you two...we have to take care of business!"
They smiled, bowed and walked away.
When they were alone again Thorin's smile melted into a brooding frown that didn't leave anyone untouched. "Will you tell me what's come over you to talk to me in this manner in front of all these people?" He hissed at Dis.
The angry curtain in her eyes got drawn away to show a pair of pained eyes that touched his heart instantly. "I am sorry I was so forthcoming, but I was worried to death about you and my son…."
He relaxed his grip on her arm and averted his eyes. "You shouldn't have come up here this morning, you should have been taking care of Kili."
"I was about to do that, when Eilin notified me." She said.
He remembered and threw another murderous look at the maiden, but his sister approached him slowly and wrapped her arms around his body. "I was worried Thorin, please don't look so angry. I couldn't have handled you or Fili getting hurt again. When I was told that you were missing all night I thought that was it. That I lost everyone from my family." She whispered defeated.
His arms came around her and he leaned his cheek on the top of her head. "It's one thing to be afraid gerbil and another to storm me like a hurricane when I am in front of my people. Try to keep up the pretence as much as your fiery personality allows you to."
She smirked and kissed the top of his chest lovingly. "I am sorry. Are you alright wolf?"
He nodded. "Yes."
Then her hand grabbed Fili and drew him into the embrace. "You, my boy?"
Fili's arm came around her shoulders. "I am fine mother and too late to join Dain. He is waiting for me." He sounded embarrassed.
She pulled back and the relieved expression slowly began shifting to annoyance once more. "Why is Dain waiting for you?"
Fili raised his brow. "Because I will take over the battalion which will overlook the River Running all down to Mirkwood and the Long lake."
She forgot all about her worries and turned to Thorin accusingly. "Did you allow my wounded son to take over another military expedition so close to his demise?"
Thankfully her voice was low and careful, but her words were nevertheless piercing. "It was his request."
"Which is to be allowed by the King…who is you…so therefore…." -Her hands moved casually- "Care to explain why you allowed him?"
Thorin's eyes hardened again. "Him, Dain and Dwalin are my best soldiers Dis and they will do their job as such."
She crossed her arms and pulled back slightly. "Even though he is still recovering?"
"Yes." Thorin nodded coldly.
She turned to her son. "Why did you ask of such a silly thing?"
Fili drew up. "Because I want to help my kingdom. Now will you excuse me mother, while I go and do my job without being cornered like some bloody thirty year old boy?"
She inhaled sharply and turned at Thorin. "Well…look at his insolence. That's all your doing."
Thorin huffed. "Fili go and join your uncle." His words finalised the situation and Fili bowed at them satisfied before turning his back to his shocked mother.
"You are making me so mad again." Dis hurled at Thorin.
He shook his head. "I am here to command, not please you Dis."
She pressed her lips and looked around her haughtily. Everyone had drawn back at a respectful distance and pretended not to hear. "Oh, you've made that pretty clear two days ago." She retorted.
"Are the daughters of Fain helping you with the preparations for Kili?" He pursed his lips.
She nodded dismissively.
"What about Tauriel?"
She glared at him and he met her haughty eyes with equanimity. "She is helping also."
He sighed. "Very well, that's all for now."
She looked around her at the people who appeared to ignore her. "I want to hug you till you have no breath left and also to strike you so hard that you will grow deaf for a week!" She hissed in a low tone.
His lip upturned in a half smile. "I love you too, now leave." He spat.
She turned around and threw her head up haughtily before directing her steps inside.
Eilin got ready to follow her and he felt his nape crawling once again.
"Everyone nijâm!"* He growled and they all animated around him. Dwalin went and stood next to Gloin who was a safe distance away, but kept his guarded look on Thorin. Nori, Ori and Dori left silently and Balin escorted the wounded family inside. Bofur, Bifur and Oin were taking care of the woman from the carriage. Dain and Fili had already departed, so that left only the retreating maiden. His teeth gritted and he grumbled in a low deep tone that raised every single hair on her body. "Except from you Eilin Firebeard."
She froze with her back turned to him.
"Turn around and come here." He commanded.
As she did, he saw her feet unsteady and her hands trembling. She approached and stood in front of him with her head bowed low. "Yes, Sir."
He drew a deep breath trying to control his anger towards this insolent maiden. If she hadn't ran off to call his sister, all this would have been avoided. "Do you know what your job is in this city, currently?"
"To serve the King." She didn't hesitate.
"Are you aware of what that includes?"
She shook her head at a loss.
"A maiden's job is to be forever present in case she is needed. Why were you not at the gates waiting for me?" His voice grumbled in deep angry undertones.
"I was..." She pulled herself upright even though her whole body was shaking from fear.
"You were there long enough for me to see you. Why did you not remain?" He raised his brow.
"I don't know how to serve royalty...I've told princess Dis..." She mumbled.
"Yet you knew well how to ran away the moment I alighted in order to notify my sister, didn't you?" His voice dropped even more if possible.
"I did it only because she was so worried about you, Sir. She almost fainted this morning at the dining room. I wanted to comfort her. To tell her that you were alright…" She tittered and wiped a couple of tears that cascaded down to her lips. She was very angry at herself for failing him so badly.
"Your job is to serve, not to judge who you must notify or not. Such decisions are not up to you." He continued the tirade.
"Your sister asked me to notify her…" She tried and her fingers twisted around each other nervously.
"Whom do you serve?" He looked at her above the bridge of his lofty nose.
She bit her lower lip. "You." She exhaled, feeling diminished.
He nodded. "Did you act accordingly?"
"No Sir." She wiped away another stray tear and felt her bottom lip trembling hard.
He remained silent with his hand leaning on the shoulder of his horse, scrutinising her for what felt like a lifetime until she spoke again.
"I messed up, forgive me Sir." She spoke with a hushed voice.
He nodded feeling his anger dissipated by degrees. "You did….." -then his brows creased thoughtfully- "….and yet you didn't."
She looked up sharply at that and he saw her green teary eyes welling with confusion. "What, Sir?"
"You proved your loyalty to my sister beyond any doubt and therefore your loyalty to my family. You overlooked your obligations towards the King in order to serve my sister's emotional needs. What you did angers the King, but satisfies the brother and I am right in the middle of that contradiction." He said reflectively.
She looked at him bug eyed with a mouth that slid open even though her tears had not abated yet.
He pursed his lips and looked away towards the entrance. "My sister's wishes usually collide with mine, they don't concur. Nevertheless her wishes always mean more to me than I will ever admit to her or that you will ever reveal from this unexpected conversation we are having right now." His brow rose in austerity.
She shook her head eagerly. "Never, Sir."
"Even if my sister wishes you to speak…" He continued.
"No Sir, never! Forgive me…" -Eilin felt her tears running anew for different reasons altogether now. She didn't know what to tell him- "Sir…I assure you that I am here to serve your needs and hers equally…" She made a fresh attempt.
Then unexpectedly his heavy hand landed on her small shoulder and her knees unlocked briefly, before she steadied herself once more. "You took care of Dis and I don't require anything more from you, no matter my need to chastise your disobedience."
She wiped away the tears, feeling strangely comforted and scared at the same time. "Give me a chance to mend this Sir and I will!"
He shook his head. "You don't need to mend what is working perfectly already." -His long fingers tightened around her shoulder and she felt her stomach gripping suddenly- "I need you to remain with Dis today."
She frowned. "But Sir, I am here to serve you now..."
He withdrew his hand and she felt instant regret. "Go to Dis and look after her for me."
"Sir, please…" She tried.
"Do what you know how to do best. I don't want anything more." He offered her a tired smile, but the dismissal was clear.
She lowered her head and turned around. She wanted to leave slowly and with as much composure as had been left in her, but instead her body took over and she broke into a run. As she did a small wooden bead fell off her long red mane and clanked onto the stone floor close to Thorin's boot.
Thorin looked at it long and hard before picking it up. Then he drew himself up and took hold of the saddle. Dwalin approached when he was finally alone. "You look unwell and tired beyond count." His friend's worried voice informed him of the obvious.
His head offered him a curt nod as acknowledgment. "I am." Then he turned at Gloin who was waiting to be noticed next to his carriage.
When his wish got fulfilled the treasurer's smile widened and he presented the carriage at Thorin with a curt bow. "If you are finished with everything else….I am at your orders."
Thorin felt his lips upturning and he released the saddle and pulled his arm from Dwalin once more. His limp was much heavier than last night as he walked towards the carriage and inspected the boxes. "It's all here?"
"As you ordered and ready to be delivered. Do you want me to do this?" Gloin crossed his arms cockily.
Thorin shook his head and his brow clouded slightly. "Me and Dwalin will go."
"Go where? You are barely able to walk!" Dwalin hissed close to his ear.
"Either you accompany me or I go alone." Thorin glowered down at his friend.
Dwalin crossed his arms and shook his head. "You are not going alone anywhere else today."
It took them a long time to reach Dale's destroyed Town Hall. His fingers rolled his maiden's wooden bead and he lifted it up to his eyes. No runes were carved on it, but a simple daisy. One hairpin at the side of his lips curled up sadly as he brooded over the wooden hair ornament of this service girl. He didn't know what made him pick it up after it fell from her hair, but here it was being held up by his long fingers. Looking way too delicate for his large hand. Maybe it was the profound loyalty that she had showed towards his sister that had touched him so deeply or the ale that he shared with Dwalin on their way here, along with some food Bombur had prepared this morning and his friend was wise enough to bring along.
He straightened his body and felt his stomach mildly complaining. Flickering his shoulders he humphed. "I can deal with this kind of pain any day."
"Mead mellowed you down, didn't it?" Dwalin's happy countenance betrayed that he was not far behind in alcohol consumption. "It was a bomb!"
"I think I should drink a couple of bottles before going to bed, then maybe I won't…" he suddenly stopped, his brow turning stern.
Dwalin noticed. "Won't what?"
Thorin shook his head.
Dwalin grabbed his shoulder. "I know something is going on. Now speak."
Thorin pushed him away playfully. "The left side of my upper body was cut in half by a meat cleaver bigger than both our heads combined. I am in constant pain and only alcohol helps me with it. I suppose I can reach my father's iconic drunken deliriums if I practice hard enough and make Oin proud. Never too late to achieve legendary proportions in that department, right?"
Dwalin laughed heartily. "Never! Now will you tell me why the hell we are standing out here with a bunch of boxes in the carriage?"
Thorin's hand landed on his forearm and tightened in a silent warning. "You'll know soon enough. Be at the ready."
Dwalin frowned and took hold of his war axe.
Several people began gathering slowly around them. Silently wide eyed they came down the steps of the Town Hall and opened up the barricaded half destroyed doors of shops and houses. Walking up the street with man made sticks, many of them bearing tourniquets on the heads, arms, legs and bodies. Broken down relics that had seen too much of death and destruction. Desolate faces full of dirt and blood. Eyes half wild half expectant, not having much hope, but not letting go of it either. Women holding their men and sons by the arm, helping them stand up like Dwalin had done to Thorin this morning by the gates of Erebor. Faces fallen in hopelessness and others holding a faint glimmer of sparkle at seeing him there. He couldn't recognise any of them, but he knew they had been there cheering him on when he declared that he wanted to take back Erebor for his people. The men and women of Lake Town had offered him the little honours they could and send him on his way to their death. What followed next destroyed their small town.
These people slowly crowding his carriage with unknown intentions were what had remained of Esgaroth. A handful of destroyed families and wounded prides. He swallowed a dry throat and felt his eyes welling unable to believe how coldly he had turned his back at the burning town once the dragon had left Erebor. His mind was wickedly set on getting back into the vaults to search for his grandfather's Raven Crown and the Arkenstone, not even caring that people were being burned to death behind him. That children were experiencing in their cribs the worst death possible.
Now all these longing, accusing, hostile or even encouraging eyes were coming up all around him. He half expected them to start pointing angry fingers full of accusations or maybe even jumping on the carriage and tearing him apart, but he steadied himself. He didn't go through hell to be intimidated by a bunch of broken men and children. He had to face them and his guilt if there was ever a possibility to put their torment and his torture to rest.
Dwalin's hand tightened on his axe, but Thorin stalled him. "No."
Dwalin whispered. "They don't look friendly."
"They are desperate and I am the one who caused this desolation upon them." Thorin frowned and looked around him.
"Glad to see you owning up to your responsibility." -Bard's sombre voice came from the top of the stairs- "My King."
"Bard." Thorin's deep voice acknowledged.
He stepped down cautiously. "To what do we owe the pleasure, King Oakenshield?"
"Pleasure?" He raised his brow with a knowing smirk.
Bard tilted his head. "For lack of better words."
Thorin thrust his chin up. "Two days ago you came to me with a request."
"Which you declined."
"He never declined! He said he was going to think about what you asked!" Dwalin intervened.
Thorin stopped him with a single look and then turned to Bard again. "Asking does not equal getting."
"You've been clear enough on that front." -Bard approached- "Repeatedly...Prior to the war and after. So why did you come here then? To see the destruction the dragon caused eons ago? Or what was destroyed by the Orcs recently?"
"You keep being ungrateful! The King send half of our builders and half of our hunt in order to assist you!" Dwalin barked.
Thorin's hand landed on Dwalin's forearm and stalled him once more.
"We have sick, we have wounded, we need help." -A woman in threadbare clothing staggered out of the crowd with a broken voice and pained eyes- "We don't have anything anymore, not even a few pennies to purchase medication and clean clothes from the nearest villages. All our property is gone under the fire of the dragon that you awoke!" She pointed at him furiously.
Thorin looked at the forlorn faces around him and shuddered. He didn't want to defend himself against this accusation, for it was true.
"Margaret, please." Bard told her and she got drawn back by a bloody faced man who offered Thorin a deadly glare that would have unnerved anyone, except from him.
"Let your people speak." Thorin felt his brows furrowing grimly and met every demanding stare calmly, unable to stop his loftiness from making his body stand taller than before in defence.
Yet no one else spoke under his offer. They simply stood there looking at him with deadpan glassy eyes. People hungry, dirty, wounded and ill while a few miles down the hill there was a mountain full of gold, full of greed and lust for wealth.
He turned above his shoulder and looked at his carriage. "These belong to you."
Bard's oldest son ran down the stairs and took hold of his father's shoulder. "What's all this dad?"
"Not now, son." -Bard told him and turned to Thorin who was alighting slowly from the carriage- "You know that we are grateful for any kind of help that comes from Erebor. I told you at the gates that we consider you our King also. We may not be Dwarves, but Dale had always been Erebor's moon and so shall its remains be now. However much food and builders are appreciated, we need what once belonged to this grand city that was under your grandfather's command and I won't back down on this. Not now after all this destruction and death. Please Thorin reconsider…."
Thorin's sombre tone echoed at the ruined plaza making Bard stop. "Speak less and do more to serve your people, Mayor. Open the chests and prove to them that you can deal with their contents wisely, for actions speak louder than words." -He said proudly and pulled himself up on his horse with a low grunt of pain- "And actions are far harder than words….." He added with a dark gaze full of wisdom.
Dwalin mounted his tall pony with very stern eyes and emptied his war axe on his strong shoulder.
Bard approached the carriage and counted twenty large chests. One of his people brought him a crow bar. "What do they contain?" His eyes looked searchingly at Thorin whose horse was already opening up a small path between the gathered people.
Thorin smirked under his black beard. "Your request." He muttered and his eyes passed warily from every man, woman and child who was opening up the road for him and Dwalin.
The loud crack as one of the boxes was forced open made Dwalin's pony jerk nervously, but they didn't stop. Several pieces of gold fell off and rolled down the street. One stopped at the feet of a wide eyed young man who looked at it dumbly without making a move to take it. Bard's mouth dropped open. "Twenty chests of gold?"
"Jewels and precious stones might be trapped in there also." Dwalin threw above his shoulder.
"WHY!?" The desperation of Bard's cry stopped their advance.
Thorin frowned. "Why?"
Bard ran at them and grabbed the reins of Thorin's horse. "Why did you do it?"
Thorin's eyes fixed at him calmly. "I returned what the dragon took from you, Mayor. This gold never belonged in Erebor to begin with."
Bard's eyes welled and he choked on the next words. "I don't know what to say."
"Let go of the reins and go to your people. I require no further words from you." Thorin rejoined.
Bard released his black steed. "Thank you." The heavy emotions in his voice was clear.
"Make wise use of the gold and of your position now, dragon slayer. You have a city to build from ground zero. Gaining power is one thing. Being strong enough to keep it and wise enough to be fair to all is the hard part." -Thorin smiled wistfully and then added- "I should know something about that."
Bard felt his throat closing down. "You must remain, you must allow us the chance to thank you properly."
Thorin shook his head. "Bury your dead and let me bury mine. I lay my nephew to rest tomorrow evening."
Bard opened his mouth to reply, but Thorin set his horse off in a trot cutting through the remaining crowd like a knife cuts butter.
A little while later their horses were still trotting at the abandoned streets of Dale near it's entrance ready to make their way back at Erebor, when Thorin noticed a broken blue door in front of a music shop.
"Would you look at that now…" He muttered and alighted.
"Isn't this the music shop where Dis and Frerin had bought you that amazing golden harp from?" Dwalin frowned.
Thorin nodded with a sad smile. "It is."
"Amazing that it's still standing" -Dwalin pressed his lips- "Well, barely." He added and then retrieved his wallet and began counting his silver.
Thorin took a quick look inside and then over at his friend. "What's that you got there?"
"My share of the bet." Dwalin showed him the full pouch.
"What bet?"
Dwalin pointed at the proud black horse. "If you were going to keep Thranduil's horse."
Thorin felt his lips upturning to an honest smile. "You pointy-eared bastards."
Dwalin laughed heartily at that.
Then in an afterthought Thorin looked at him honestly amused. "How many bet for?"
"Me, Balin, Bofur, Nori, Dori, Ori and Bombur."
Thorin's eyebrows lifted surprised. "More than I would have thought. I cannot deny that it's a beautiful animal and I have missed riding a horse."
"Yeah since your impeccable ethics made you ride a damned pony all this time, because you didn't want to make your comrades feel diminished. Forcing me to do the same!" Dwalin sounded critical.
"That sounds like a reproach."
"My back is killing me when I ride ponies and I am not getting any younger!" Dwalin pointed out crossly.
"Maybe you can ask the woodland realm for another horse then." Thorin smirked.
"I prefer buying it from Dale thank you very much! At least they need the money...hold it." -Dwalin raised his hand and Thorin his brow expectantly- "Needed it. With twenty chests of gold I don't think they need money anymore."
Thorin offered him an honest smile. "That sounds almost bitter."
"Twenty! Not one or two, but twenty!" -Dwalin pointed back at the road they came from- "What are they going to do with so much gold?"
"Hire builders, buy medicine and food, masonry and wood. Anything they need to rebuild their city." Thorin flicked his shoulder and entered the ruined music shop. Instantly his eyes saw an abandoned harp standing at the end of the store.
"With twenty chests of gold they can buy a new city. Never mind rebuilding this broken one." Dwalin dismissed him.
"You sound like Gloin."
"Well, cannot blame him and how in the name of heaven did you convince him to part with so much gold?" Dwalin alighted and stood by the door with crossed arms.
"It is not his to part with." Thorin's voice darkened as he approached the harp. His long fingers wiped away eons of dust, that floated in front of his thoughtful face.
Silence ruled behind him for a few moments and his long fingers touched the strings.
"Thorin can you hear me?" Dwalin's voice returned.
He nodded. "Yeah." He murmured and then his fingers touched a couple of notes gently, creating a soft array of music which made his heart rejoice.
"Just so you'd know, I am proud of being your friend even though I can sound grumpier than you sometimes."
A ghostly smile touched Thorin's lips. "What did I do to deserve such a loving declaration?"
Dwalin's voice came from the door. "Today I saw again the friend I know and love dearly. The one who always had a profoundly loving heart and a deep sense of fairness since he was a child."
Thorin smiled and played a few of more notes.
"I cannot forget the relic you had become when we first arrived at Erebor and that damned treasure blinded all the honour out of you. How you stood at the throne room, indifferent of the woes outside your door as long as you had the vault full of gold and the gates sealed." Dwalin continued.
Thorin's brows creased tightly and his fingers played a five note combination that made Dwalin raise his chin in recognition. "I will never forget that either." Thorin whispered
A few more notes were played with a gentleness and skill that could have risen up the dead and Dwalin leaned his tall frame on the casing of the broken blue door. "Out of doubt, out of dark, to the day's rising he rode singing in the sun, sword unsheathing. Hope he rekindled, and in hope ended; over death, over dread, over doom lifted out of loss, out of life, unto long glory." The words were spoken not sung.
Thorin's palms encased the vibrating strings and the magnificent music stopped suddenly. The crackling of the broken window sills moving slowly with the soft wind replaced it and a tear of sadness stained Thorin's eye. "Aye, you remembered correctly."
Dwalin sighed quietly. "A song of new hope. It's befitting."
"Tell some men to come and pick up this beauty. It will be a pity for it to rot here unused." Thorin looked at the beautifully carved harp almost longingly. Ever since Siv died he refrained from playing any kind of music, apart for his nephews when they were very little.
Dwalin nodded. "I'll come pick it up myself after I escort you back."
Thorin looked above his shoulder. "Thank you brother."
Dwalin smiled lovingly. "My pleasure brother."
A/N:
* Everyone leaves
** daughter of an orc
*** you couldn't forge a spoon.
**** steed
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