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A night by the river
In the meantime down at one of the abandoned blacksmith vaults, Thorin had ignited the fire of one station and was hammering away his troubles. The hard clanking of metal echoed again and again inside the black walls of the cavern, for the first time after centuries. The bellows huffed and puffed, feeding the fire and making sweat cover every inch of his body. The large white bandage around his chest was clearly visible under his untied tunic, a small reminder that he died and came back to life not so long ago as he brought down his hammer on the surface of the metal repeatedly.
The pain when he began forging the rough metal rod had been excruciating, but he purposely ignored it and as he continued to hammer away, the pain slowly began numbing down. With every muscle in his body cold and unused the first throws of the hammer on the anvil were harder than he had anticipated, but several hours later his body was blazing hot from the manual labour and every pain faded away, as his mind emptied like it always did when he was working like that. He had been forging out his frustrations since he was a young boy, barely able to lift the hammer. Once he discovered the therapeutic abilities of using his body to transform hard metal into art, there was no turning back. This sometimes felt even better than playing his harp. With music his mind was travelling at places of peace and tranquility. The demanding and powerful nature of forging, emptied his mind complete of all thoughts. Minutes turned into hours and he barely even noticed. His hair and body was so sweaty he looked like he had just got off the river and he didn't even feel it. The muscles on the palm of his hands were aching from the scorching heat and he gritted his teeth against the need to put down the hammer. Time and time again he brought it down with gritted teeth, until the metal rod began forming into an impressive long double edged sword.
His eyes seared into the fire as he held the sword by it's tip in order to heat up the hilt and then he took out his smaller tools. The tools of the real artistry of dwarven swords. The ones that only the blacksmith masters were able to work. Only when he opened his forgotten leather satchel, did he allow himself to sit on a low wooden stool and rest his heavy fur boots at the side of the anvil. His elbows barely felt the heat of the metal surface as he leaned close to the hilt and began working meticulously on the intricate design. Drops of sweat trickled down the metal surface as he picked up smaller metal pieces and melted them to a point where they could be easily moulded. Then he began twisting them around the already smooth hilt in airy shapes that originally would make no sense to the eye of a stranger. To his experienced eyes though the design was clear as the sun. His long dampened hair stuck to his temples and cheeks. Several longer strands got entangled around the forearm of his working hand, but he didn't stop his meticulous work to clear them away. Sweat run in small rivulets down his face and neck, sticking his tunic on his skin, but he only felt was the magic that he creating as the thin metal strands were twisting and turning around the hilt, slowly forming the head and front legs of the beast he intended to put on this sword.
He remained there mesmerised under his own artistic spell until the caw of Roac made him look up briefly. The black master of Ravenhill flew down through the corridors, entered the vaults and landed gently on his exposed wide shoulder with confidence. Thorin didn't lift his eyes from his delicate work as Roac gave him the information he had required with a quiet voice into his ear.
"Thank you," he said when the crow had finished.
Roac cowed his reply and flew away as quickly as he had appeared. Thorin's relief made his hand loose it's grip of the delicate carving tools that fell out of his large hands. He closed his eyes and pressed his fingers between his eyebrows feeling his heart soothed in ways words could never describe. He remained like that, his shadow covering the intricate design he had been working on for a long time. The blazing fire began dying down and the sword became too cold to be worked upon. It was the voice of his sister that made him peak from under the palm of his hand.
"Do you think it's wise to forge while bearing an almost mortal wound, wolf?" She remained in the shadows of the station.
He swallowed a dry mouth and shook his head, "wiser than lay in bed or brood in father's office."
"You mean your office."
He sighed, "should I ask how you are?"
She shook her head and sat at a stool across his anvil, "no use…" her voice sounded bitter.
He reached up and cleared the hair from his face along with the sweat that was blurring his eyes, "you are hiding yourself…"
"And you are forging…we each deal with this loss in our own special way. Don't judge …" she frowned at him.
"I am worried about you," he looked up with an honesty that touched her.
"I know," she rubbed her forehead, "I need time Thorin. This cannot just go away. I don't know how to handle it."
He nodded, "Fili is fine…"
She looked up and gasped. Then a small smile appeared on her well formed lips, "when did you learn news?"
"Roac came just now…" he shook his head dismissively.
"Have you set the crows upon my boy?"
He huffed, "you didn't want me to?"
She closed her eyes and bit her lower lip, "Of course I did! Listen Thorin about all this tension between us with the she-elf and you allowing Fili to leave Erebor..."
He shook his head, "Forget it. We are both under immense stress".
She looked up knowingly, "Can you forgive my attitude?"
"If you can forgive mine", his smile was exhausted.
"I know you will do the best for Fili, but still the mother in me worries, but the she-elf is something very hard for me to swallow", She looked at him calmly.
"That's very obvious", he raised his brow and stood up deciding to work the bellows again.
She crossed her arms, "You've acted towards Kili honourably and I thank you for that. I shall not stain my son's memory by criticising his love interests, but I won't automatically become best friends with an elf either. You have never let me or my sons down Thorin and I should have trusted in your judgment better. You've raised them like a father and I cannot thank you enough for that".
The fire ignited anew as his strong leg worked the bellows and he kept his back on her to hide the welling in his eyes, "I wouldn't have left you alone after your husband died. You know that", his voice was heavy.
"Yet, somehow I am always burdened with guilt for destroying your life. If you hadn't stepped in the place of my dead husband as fervently as you did, then maybe you would have had a family of your own," she looked up at him sadly.
His felt his stomach muscles clenching suddenly, but instead of turning around and showing her through his eyes the pain she had just awoken with her words, he gritted his teeth and pulled out the sword from the fire. His foot released the heavy pedal and the two humongous hammers that were dangling above his head fell on the orange hued blade with a ferocity he barely controlled. Fire spewed all over his head and body and she turned away to protect her face from the heat. Feeling almost cleansed by that violent throw of the double hammers, he placed the sword back on the anvil and began working on the hilt design once more.
"your silence speaks volumes…" she turned around quietly.
"what do you want me to tell you Dis?" His voice was dry.
"That all my assumptions are false and that you chose not to fall in love with anyone…." She tried.
He remained silent.
"Thorin…please.." She leaned her hands on the anvil and drew them back instantly hissing from the heat.
"Careful…" he warned her and then looked up, "Family, love…It was just never meant to be for me…that's all. Don't overburden your head with stupid thoughts."
"Yet you have been courted by many women and I cannot stop thinking that one of them would have been the one for you, if it wasn't for me and my boys".
He winced and felt almost nauseated at the irony of this conversation, "I could have chosen one before the battle of Moria. Think clearly Dis. It was just not meant to be…"
"Maybe then it was dad's overpowering personality that shaped you up not to think about a family…"
He raised his brow and cold sweat broke on his forehead, "making up theories about my choices again?"
"No, but that part in you was always a mystery to me Thorin. Frerin was always chasing after the next pretty girl. Yet, you…"
"No one was interesting enough to get my attention. Will that do as an answer?" He sounded less irritated than he truly was.
She frowned thoughtfully, "Alright, how about now?"
He looked up coldly, "Now?"
She nodded, "you've reclaimed our city and you are building the Kingdom anew. New pages of golden history will be added in the books of the Elders under your name along with the ones you have already written. Haven't you accomplished everything you've set out to do? Don't you need more in your personal life now? Fili is a grown man, he doesn't need your guidance as much and I…well…I am fine now. As much as I can be. You could concentrate on yourself for once."
"what have you got in mind gerbil? You know I am not into any marriage arrangements. We've been through that many times back in the Blue Mountains."
She raised her palm, "heard you accepted a marriage proposal this morning actually."
He huffed and felt the tension of their previous close call melting at the ground, "she was too cute to resist, but I rather doubt I'll be alive when she comes of age."
She smiled and crossed her arms, "how about taking a look at the older ladies that have arrived in Erebor then?"
He raised his brow, "anyone in particular you care for me to meet?"
She bit her lower lip, "Valdis, Fain's younger daughter seems interesting enough. Pretty girl, prudent mind and careful tongue. Works hard and keeps her head low. Also she's quite smitten with you."
"No" he frowned and began carving the details of the design after heating it up.
"Why are you so negative? Did you even get a good look at her? You were not in a good mindset to see clearly that day," she looked at his work with interest.
"I am not blind…answer is still no."
"Isn't she pretty?" His sister leaned over and came close to the hilt to see better.
"I really don't care if she is", he looked at his work annoyed at his sister's insistence.
"Thorin you are not thinking clearly and the already pathetic diplomat in you is becoming comatose. Valdis is a good girl. I didn't tell you to marry her, just to give yourself some time to get to know her. Besides she is Dain's niece and that man helped you reclaim the Lonely Mountain. Be clever for once in your life."
His chisel was struck with such force that it took the wrong turn and almost ruined that delicate line of his design. He looked up darkly, "do you seriously suggest that I befriend a woman for the sake of diplomacy? I've never done such a folly in my life, I won't start now that I am close to the end of it."
"A hundred and ninety five is the end of your life? Are you going through a midlife crisis?" She teased gently.
"End of conversation," he looked at her fixed for several seconds before returning to his work.
"She will be there with her sister at the gathering this evening," she let the words trail, waiting for him to pick up.
"What gathering?"
"The one Gandalf and your brethren are organising for Kili's honour outside the gates, by the river," she smiled.
He wiped away the ample sweat on his brow with his forearm and gazed at her mutely for several moments, "whose idea was that?"
She flicked her shoulders, "Your friends all decided upon it in unison. I cannot blame them though. It is a good idea to get together and share some quiet time around each other after all the hell we've been through."
He felt his shoulders slouching slightly, "I suppose so".
"Will you come?"
He looked down and shook his head, "Sure".
Her hand grabbed his forearm and squeezed, "Perfect, we both need to have a break".
He smiled.
"At the gathering, can I bring Valdis over to you? See her up close, talk to her a bit. Maybe you'll discover that's she's interesting, maybe not. Nothing to lose though, is there?" She bit her lower lip and looked at him expectedly.
His countenance turned dour once more, "will that make you happy?"
She nodded, "yes"
He gazed at her thoughtfully and knowing that it was her guilt that was the driving force behind her insistence, he agreed half-heartedly, "if it means that much to you, I'll talk to her, but I am making no promises."
Her face brightened up for the first time since he saw her again and his heart smiled at that, "thank you wolf!" She leaned over and placed a loving kiss on his moist forehead. Then she pulled back and wiped her mouth disgusted.
He raised his finger at her, "Now that we are on topic, I couldn't help but notice a certain lieutenant from Dain's army that's been hanging around you like a lost puppy."
She pulled back abhorred, "you mean Dongar?"
He raised his brows, "quick to learn his name were you?"
She crossed her arms, "he escorted me here and he is very polite and protective if you must know…"
"I am sure he is…" he trailed off.
"Thorin! Don't misread things!"
"You mean to tell me that you haven't figured out why he is following you around?" He gazed at her derisively.
"I haven't got a mind to think in this manner right now. Honestly!" She turned around and threw her head back haughtily.
"Well, he does, believe me," Thorin pulled back to check on his design.
"Even if he does…I am not in the mood for romantic involvements right now Thorin. Not even close to it", her face fell…
"Neither am I," he raised his brow meaningfully, "but I am being forced by you."
"I am only doing it because I care for you," she whined.
"I know, and because I care for you, I am here to warn mister Dongar back to a more appropriate distance," his tone held a warning.
She frowned, "you don't trust me."
"I don't trust him. You are a princess of the crown, with a great fortune tagging along behind you and his intentions are not clear to me yet."
"You think that a man would only be interested in me because of my heritage or money?" She rebelled.
"I think that many men would be interested in you because of your immense beauty, your fierce personality and your heritage, but not all are suitable to enter your personal space," he said gravely.
"Says the man that supported fervently my marriage to a mine worker," she spat.
"Who proved how much he loved you, to me," he retorted.
She exhaled, "why does your solicitude feel like a vice around my neck right now?"
"because it probably is. I've got my eyes on him," he warned.
"please don't scare away someone whose company might be pleasing to me," she said faintly.
He raised his brows, "is it pleasing?"
She nodded half heartedly.
"Then he must prove himself worthy of you," he continued with austerity.
"Thorin…" she cringed…
He shook his head, "I am not backing away from this Dis. I don't even know who the hell this guy is and he is way too close to you right now."
She got off the anvil and came around. Then she leaned her elbows on his shoulders not minding his sweat and kissed his cheek, "trust in me please. This man lost his wife in the battle of Moria and he never acted imprudently around me. He is just a pleasant company at times, that's all. I know you feel protective towards me, but show me some faith. Nothing is going on. I am in too much pain and too raw..."
His jawline moved as his small hammer fell on his thin chisel, "if he tries anything inappropriate, I will kill him."
She leaned her forehead where his neck met his shoulder and sighed deeply, "I know wolf, but he won't… Now forget it and go through the hot-springs before you come at the gathering please".
"I smell?" He chuckled.
"You reek…" She aired her nose and then looked at his sword, "That's a dragon on the hilt…" she leaned over.
"Aye"
"Beautiful design, your touch in this art is still formidable"
"Thank you" he smiled softly.
"Have you given this beauty a name yet?" She looked up at him as he was rubbing a dirty cloth on the scales of the dragon in order to clean it up thoroughly so he could see where to carve next.
He nodded, "Narag Zegaru" he said in Khuzdul.
"Black blade? That's a beautiful name. Will you keep it?" She looked at him with a faint smile.
He ran his fingers on the blade to check on the smoothness of the metal, "I am not sure yet. I will know when I finish it."
She gathered herself, "I must leave and go get ready. Remember that I will bring over Valdis to you this evening so try not to be so brooding and evasive."
"I will be whatever I please and now that I remembered, rumours reached my ears that the oldest daughter of Fain was rather rude to our maiden one morning. Is that true?"
She pursed her lips, "quite true. I was there when it happened. That girl has no prudence at all. She's the complete opposite of her sister."
"Hmmm...very well" his tone was coldly menacing.
Dis flicked her shoulders, "I'll be happy to see her stripped down, but do be careful how you express your concerns, because she is Dain's niece."
"Don't worry."
"I'll come pick you up later alright?" She looked above her shoulder.
He didn't look up, "very well."
-.-
Eilin stole an apprehensive glance at the other side of the fire where the brooding King was sitting with the beautiful lady Valdis on one side and Balin on the other. Eilin was secretly hoping that lady Valdis was blubbering him into madness, but his countenance was closed up and difficult to read. He was drinking though and rather heavily from what she could gather. His cup was constantly being refilled even though he had barely touched the meat of the boar that was spinning slowly in the main fire. She had gone over to ask him if he needed anything, in the hopes that he would ask her to accompany him back to his rooms were she would assist him with his wound and then they could go to their respectful beds and end this night early. Every time he dismissed her without needing anything. Not that Bofur's insistence hadn't helped on that front, since he went with her a couple of times and bugged Thorin not to put any work on her for the evening. The King didn't seem bothered by that arrangement so after making sure that the princess was alright in the company of the lieutenant and Fain's oldest daughter she joined Bofur, Bifur and Bombur on a smaller fire at the side.
She shifted many times to have a better view of what was going on at the King's company and observed with growing frustration Valdis flashing him with all the signs of her interest through gestures and body language. Eilin didn't know if that theatre was lost in the King, but she was still rather annoyed by the whole deal without understanding why it should matter to her.
At some point when the songs for the fallen were joined in by the natural baritone of Thorin's voice, her mouth dropped open and she fell enchanted under his spell much like Valdis had without even realising it. The sombre fireworks of the grey wizard that brightened up the gates of Erebor after a while, made her heart gallop with excitement and she momentarily forgot the need to go back to bed and forget everything that happened in the morning, or the tense feeling that abounded on the pit of her stomach tonight.
"I've been bugging you to have a drink since you've arrived," Bofur noted.
She smiled, "I don't drink, because if I do I might faint…remember?"
His lips twisted slightly, "you need to loosen up."
"You need to loosen her up," Bombur said and Bifur laughed heartily.
"Come on you guys, it's not like I want to get her drunk. Just in a slightly better mood. Look at how serious her face is!" Bofur turned to his brothers.
"I am truly enjoying myself. Gandalf's fireworks were amazing," she leaned back to a log to give her back a break.
"Gandalf's fireworks are the only thing that impressed you tonight?" Bofur looked at her coyly.
She smiled, "and the singing. That was enthralling."
Bofur threw his hands in the air, "thank Mahal I was part of that, because I'd think that nothing of what I am doing tonight is making an impression on you."
She raised her brow and snickered, "you want to impress me?"
He grimaced and flicked his shoulders, "Maybe".
"He is!" Bombur nodded eagerly and gave them the thumbs up.
"if I did would you have a problem?" Bofur looked at her with his kind eyes and she couldn't help but smile widely.
"I don't know, I mean I am not sure…oh..damn…" she muttered and covered her face feeling embarrassed.
He touched her knee gently and she looked up, "I've got the best idea to get you out of that mood."
"What is it?" She asked.
He offered her his hand, "dance with me!"
"I don't know how…" she felt the blood draining from her face.
"I'll lead you. Hear this song is much more energetic, come on, we still have a little while before it finishes," he pulled her up and she cried surprised.
"I don't know how to dance, no no no…" she pulled away from him and sat down decisively.
He pulled her up again and before she had the chance he placed his hands around her waist and began twirling her around in rhythm with the song. She felt her head going dizzy and suddenly her heart threw away all the fear and anxiety and her lips upturned in a happy smile that radiated into her eyes. She grabbed Bofur's shoulders and swirled and twirled for what seemed an eternity. Hearing the men around her clapping and their heavy boots hitting the ground, urging them on. When the music stopped Bofur took a deep bow and she grabbed her head feeling dizzy. As he led her back to the fire she was lucky not to notice Thorin's fiery eyes following her zealously till she was shoved back down to the ground.
She laughed lightly and touched her warm cheeks. Bofur's hand caressed her long hair down her back and he nudged her, "see, you feel better already…" he said.
She reached out and pulled the bottle of mead out of his hand. She lifted it and gulped down several times before gasping for air, "yes I do!" She admitted.
Bofur turned to his brothers and winked, "see her unravelling her timid personality to reveal something beautiful."
"Easy on that drink lassie, for you are not used to it", Dori touched her shoulder and she turned around startled.
"Oh, I am sorry mister Dori…"
"Don't drink too much, that's all I am saying. Everything else is lovely as was your dance with Bofur. We all enjoyed it" Dori winked at her and left with his hands clasped thoughtfully behind his back.
"Dori is a real mood swinger, now drink up" Bofur urged her.
She snorted and lifted up the bottle taking in a couple of more sips of the lovely ale. Already her body felt it effectively warming her extremities, "a little more won't do me no harm," she whispered not wanting this sudden happy mood to leave her. There had been so few moments in her life where she had felt happy that she relished them.
"Some food in your stomach might help with the after effects. I've got my vegetables ready, remember the deal?" He winked at her.
She lowered the bottle that was now half down and looked at him confounded, "no…" she muttered.
"You go pick up the nets and see if we've caught any good fish and I'll begin boiling the vegetables for my favourite recipe, which…" he turned at Bombur whose face was already brightening up, "which you will not eat, because I am making it especially for Eilin. Get it?" He raised a cautious finger.
Bombur grimaced disappointed, "what the hell.."
"You've eaten half the boar and twenty sausages. Fish goes to Eilin, if she manages to pick the nets up. Are you up for the challenge?" He smiled playfully at her.
She bit her lower lip and drank a few more heartfelt sips feeling her throat burning and her head slightly swimming, "Sure I am!" she said with determination and stood up. Then she swayed and Bofur caught her arm.
"You sure you won't end up in the river?" He asked mildly concerned.
"No, I won't. I'll be back with your fish, you just wait and see!" She said with a steady voice and then marched away from their fire.
Bofur turned to his vegetables and shook his head.
"Don't come too strong on her, she needs her time," Bombur told him and Bifur nodded.
"I know" Bofur agreed.
-.-
Thorin inhaled deeply, and tried to find ways of shutting off the insistent woman next to him. He came just for his sister's sake, who was talking all this time with this lieutenant that he knew nothing about. The need to march up there, break them apart and ask that man for explanations was so dire that he decided to drown his anger in ale. He didn't know how many times they had refilled his cup, but the pain on his stomach was now non existent which meant that he was mildly if not adequately drunk. Which would explain why he was not choking Fain's younger daughter as she was trying to explain to him how difficult it was at times to buy modern clothes at the remote Iron Hills and what kind hair styles were mostly worn right now in the biggest dwarven cities around Middle Earth.
"Therefore if a lady is to wear her braids up in a flower scheme they'd need to previously keep their hair unwashed for several days so that it would stay in place with the natural oils of the scalp," Valdis said with a very thoughtful frown.
Balin sighed, "Lady Valdis, maybe you could talk about something else than fashion to the King?" he offered politely.
Thorin elbowed Balin and showed his cup unwilling to speak.
"More?" he asked and when Thorin nodded he refilled the cup with a critical frown.
"But what can I talk about then my Lord? It's not as if I am knowledgeable in the art of war," Valdis said.
"Maybe you should ask the King for a dance instead?" Balin looked at her vexed.
"No!" Thorin rebelled and then looked at Valdis fleetingly, "I prefer to hear about the hair styles of Belegost…" he added more quietly.
"of the Iron Hills my King," Valdis frowned.
"Yes, there…" he waved his hand absently.
"See the King enjoys my take on how a modern dwarven lady should take care of herself. As if we should follow in the footprints of the Elves like women do. No, we must not diverge from our customs as they can support…."
There Thorin's ears muted her blubbering and his eyes noticed Tauriel who had kept mostly in the company of Bilbo and Gandalf all this time, walking slowly towards the banks of the river. He inhaled deeply and emptied his cup in one go. Then he shoved it in Balin's hands and stood up.
"Where are you going?" Balin asked and Valdis looked at him incredulously.
"I've got something to take care off. Excuse me," he said and left them standing there moonstruck.
"Did he just get up and go in the middle of our conversation?" Valdis asked with an angry frown.
Balin looked at Thorin's cup and refilled it for himself, "Dare I say madame without becoming forthcoming, that you have no idea how to keep a man's interest…"
"Humph!" Valdis crossed her arms defensively and stood up quite offended to find her sister.
Balin scrounged his lips and emptied his cup.
-.-
Thorin walked quietly up to Tauriel and crossed this arms behind his back. He let a few silent moments go by and then he addressed her, "famous elven senses didn't notify you of my presence or you prefer we didn't speak?"
Tauriel wiped away a few stray tears from her eyes, "I am sorry King Thorin. I am not well."
He approached and stood next to her gazing at the thin snowflakes falling at the river, "I am well aware of that."
She looked at him fleetingly, "thank you for allowing me to remain."
"I'd do anything for him," he lowered his eyes.
"Me too," she whispered.
His lips twitched and he searched his pockets, "you can stay as long as you wish."
She looked at him carefully then, "I don't know if King Thranduil will allow me to remain more. I have already pushed past what was appropriate for him".
"I don't like your kind…" he trailed off proudly, "…I think it is too cold blooded and manipulative. As for loyalty, they are to their own kind but no one else who is in real need. Especially my kin. I don't like your King and that will never change…"
She lowered her eyes to the water and nodded.
"…stubborn I may be indeed, but I am not Thror, neither am I Thrain, like your King believes. My doors shall remain open for you."
She felt her eyes overflowing with tears which she didn't try to hide, "thank you."
He brought his hand in front of her and opened it up, "this belongs to you."
Her breath hitched.
"Take it," he frowned trying to keep his heavy emotions at bay.
"I placed it with Kili…" her words came out with difficulty.
"I took it back. He gave you that stone. Do you know what it says?" He looked up at her.
"Return to me…" she whispered.
He nodded feeling heartbroken, "He cannot return to you…to anyone of us".
Tauriel squeezed her eyes tight.
"Keep the stone, so you can always return to him," he told her and turned his empty gaze at the cold river waters.
She sobbed silently, but didn't make a move to take it. Thorin's hand opened up hers and placed the stone right in the middle of her palm. Then he closed her fingers, much like Kili had done and kept a good hold of them, "Don't let anyone else take it. It is a dwarven rune stone meant only for our dwarven kin."
She tightened her fingers around it "On my word of honour I shall not."
He nodded quietly, "I'd suggest you return to the city and rest…"
She looked at him with a pair of deeply thankful eyes that he missed as he walked slowly away from her. He walked a while longer, pulling his warm coat close to his body and burying his chin on the thick fur neckline. Enjoying the blessed silence for the first time this evening. Quite relieved to be away from that gathering and especially that woman, he stood by the river shore, resting his heavy boot on a large boulder while the snow slowly began covering his hair and beard. For a few moments he listened only to the serene flow of the river and nothing else, when suddenly out of nowhere there was a splash followed by a curse.
His brows creased and his eyes thinned as he tried to locate the source of that disturbance. Then several splashes were followed by more curses. His lips twisted confused as he finally saw the outline of a small canoe in the middle of the river rocking back and forth. Someone was in it making all this racket as they were trying to pull up some fishing nets. Thorin approached quietly and saw his maiden fighting with the nets and the rocking of her canoe. Her long red hair got entangled with her hands and her mouth began uttering words offensive enough to make Thorin frown surprised that she had such a fiery spirit hidden under her timid behaviour. He stood there quietly observing her for a few more moments before he spoke.
"I don't think this is working for you very well," he said casually.
She screeched, turned around, got her hair caught at the oar and fell down clumsily making the canoe take in some water.
A small unintentional snort broke free from him, "not well at all. Stay down," he told her and picked up the rope that kept the canoe tied on the shore, "I'll pull you in."
She nodded and tried to free her hair as he pulled the canoe in steadily, not caring much about his shore muscles or the mild reactivation of his wound. When her canoe hit the shore she looked up to see his hand offering her silent help. She didn't hesitate to take it and he easily pulled her out. First step she took on land was shaky and her foot got caught on a rock, sending her straight into Thorin's arms who steadied her, "clumsiness continues inland as I see," he said calmly. She felt his velvet vest under her palms and instantly the memory from that morning came to undo her. Her voice was not working at all. She just remained there, her eyes getting lost somewhere between the neckline of his royal blue tunic and his beard. He pushed her back gently and she found her footing, but not her collection.
"Thank you sir," her voice was weak.
"Are you trying to commit suicide?" He pulled back slightly in order to see her better. She looked out of sorts, but unharmed.
"Alas no. I was trying to pull up the nets for Bofur."
"Without any balance whatsoever you were closer to joining the nets in the frozen waters and not seeing Bofur at all," he teased.
"I know," she lowered her eyes feeling embarrassed.
"Why didn't you tell him to do it instead?"
"Because he asked me…"
He raised his brow in dissaproval.
"It was a fair deal," she felt her shoulders slouching defeated, "I was going to bring the fish, he was going to cook it for me".
"So you wanted to impress him with your boldness, by daring this difficult task in the middle of a frozen night".
She sighed, "I didn't want to disappoint him no. He is the only one that treated me with such kindness since I arrived at Erebor."
"The only one?" He frowned.
She winced feeling trapped under his intense blue gaze, "Along with you and your sister and Bombur and Bifur and mister Bilbo and mister Balin and mister Dori and young Ori…oh and that elf Tauriel...damn that's a lot of people being nice with me", she suddenly realised.
He chuckled and stepped on the canoe to pick up the nets himself, "you sound mildly intoxicated."
"What?"
"Drunk", he explained.
"The ale got to my head, didn't it?" she grabbed her temples feeling them throbbing.
"Now it makes sense how he convinced you to dance like that," he said and pulled the nets out with an ease that rubbed off the wrong way in her.
"You noticed?" She cringed not knowing which boulder to lift and get under.
"Was unable not to, you did it right up to my face," he said and dropped the nets next to her boots.
"I am so sorry Sir", her eyes looked disappointed.
"Don't feel sorry for having fun. Now, pick up your fish and take them to your man," he cleaned his hands on his pants.
His words stung. "He is not my man! He is just a friend!"
"You two could have easily fooled me," his mouth tilted up in a lopsided smile.
"No sir, you have this all wrong" she looked up at him totally crestfallen, but he missed that look.
He shook his head, "Don't worry there is no harm done here. He must be waiting for his fish, now go." He shooed her away.
"And you?" She looked sadly at the fish that were thrashing about.
"I will remain here a while longer. Not in any real mood to go back." His voice turned doleful.
She bit her lower lip, "Neither am I"
He looked up with a suspicious frown.
"Sir", she added timidly.
"You wish to remain also?" He continued feeling more than doubtful.
She gave him a quiet nod and looked at her hands "if I don't bother you too much."
"What about his fish?" Thorin's gaze was quizzically intense but she didn't see it.
"How about we throw them back in? I don't want to see them thrashing about desperate for water and I am not in the mood to eat them," she looked up to him yearningly.
"That's an offence to Bofur for sure," he noted carefully.
She snorted feeling giddy, "Didn't know that saving fish could be offensive."
"Throwing away offered food is," he rejoined.
"Can I not care just for tonight Sir?" She felt the sides of her mouth turning down.
He smiled and picked up the nets, "tell him I did it, so you won't lose your good graces with him," he said and emptied all the fish back into the river.
"Can I not care about that either, Sir?" She continued in the same tone.
"How much did you drink?" He smirked.
"Enough to feel happy for once in my life. Enough not to fear each step I take. Enough to not feel embarrassed about the way I look," she murmured feeling on the verge of tears when only a moment ago she was giddy as hell.
He sobered up "That run deeper than I had anticipated".
"Me too" she said quickly, "and don't think I don't know," her hiccup made him snort once more.
"Know what?"
"That you are not the proper person to address in this manner." She raised her finger and shook her head in austerity.
He crossed this arms and lifted his chin up against the frozen breeze, "but you cannot control your intoxicated version and I happened to stumble upon it."
She looked up to see in shock that he was smiling, "Yes more or less."
He shook his head and the smile echoed in his beautiful eyes.
"So why don't you want to go back?" She forgot to add the Sir and he forgot to notice.
"If I hear one more word about hair styles in the Iron Hills I will commit suicide, and if I see that lieutenant kissing my sister's hand one more time I will commit murder." He said sternly.
"Sounds like a terrible crossroad," she cringed.
He smirked, "It is, so I escaped here. The silence of this place is much more appealing."
"I ruined it for you with my clumsiness then," her eyes looked disappointed.
"No, actually you enhanced it with your intoxicated version, which is much more alluring than any conversation at the gathering," he added cheekily.
Not ever expecting such a turn from him caused her to blush down to her big toes and try to hide under her long mane.
"Colour of cheeks now matches the colour of your hair. Rather nice," he hummed thoughtfully.
"Stop please, Sir," her voice was barely heard.
"I am making you feel embarrassed, I will stop indeed," his eyes burned through her skin.
"No, don't stop sir," she hurried to correct herself.
His deep laugh resonated through her spine making her very aware of his imposing presence, "Can you get drunk more often?"
She looked at him dumbfounded.
"This is the first time since this accursed adventure began that I've felt the need to laugh", a dark shadow stained his eyes.
"And me to feel happy," she felt her eyes welling by the honesty of her admittance to the most improbable person in Erebor.
His eyes seared into her, "Happiness suits you", he spoke softly.
She felt her heart stopping and her lungs felt in need of more air.
He smiled, "I can certainly see what it is that Bofur saw in you."
"Sir…" she muttered.
"I know…please stop, right?" Her eyes got lost at the sweet tilt at the side of his mouth.
She nodded with a mesmerised smile.
"Yeah thought as much…" he looked at her with an appreciative smile, "You need to learn to accept compliments from men with grace, without stumbling at a loss for words."
"I am not used to compliments," she muttered weakly.
"Let's fix that. I foresee that you you will need that skill in the future".
"What?!" Her eyes flew open.
"That was another compliment, just to make it clear," he was delighted by her bashful nature and how nice it felt to tease her just in order to get a response.
She cupped her cheeks and felt sweat breaking on her forehead no matter the frozen air hitting her face, "Stop sir please!"
"You just changed the order of the words in the same damned sentence. That was not graceful," he noted mischievously.
"I..I…" She cringed at her ability to sound like a complete moron.
"Just say thank you," he gazed at her lightheartedly.
She winced, "I don't think I can"
"Shall we give this another try?" He straightened.
She nodded with uncertainty.
"Incoming, are you ready?" He smirked.
She giggled and covered her mouth "Nope".
He laughed heartily and she smiled. Then his eyes bore into hers and as he spoke his awkward mirth slowly melted into a serious gaze that tore into her very soul "Your company is unexpectedly pleasurable my lady."
His deep voice echoed into her stomach that clenched in excitement and she felt her lips trembling and the blood drain from her face.
"Your reply?" His voice was strangely hushed and that made her stomach clench even harder.
"Thank you sir" she whispered.
He shook his head, "Omit the Sir."
"Thank you" she tried again and his eyes fell to her well formed lips.
"That didn't sound as self-assured as I would have liked," his eyes returned to hers demanding.
"Scared" she felt her voice crackling.
He frowned momentarily taken aback, "I beg your pardon?"
"That sounded totally terrified. The King of Erebor speak to me this way? Are you by any chance slightly intoxicated also Sir? " she hurried through before her courage abandoned her. She wanted him to understand how much this was affecting her, even though he was obviously just having fun with her, probably because he was drunk also.
He huffed, "I might be a bit tipsy".
She lowered her eyes and pressed her lips, "now it makes sense."
"What does?"
"That you are giving me the time of day…" she muttered and smiled at her palms.
Thorin's face gained a sudden clarity, but he avoided that path with relative ease, "You think that's what this is? Me being drunk?"
She nodded, "and me also."
He inhaled deeply and looked at her cautiously, "I think it would be wise not to rush into conclusions. Now to get back on topic. You still owe me a sweet thank you. Willing to try again?"
"Thank you," she forced a sweet smile on her lips, hoping for the best.
His smile made her heart clench "Much better. I think you are ready for Bofur's courting now."
She shook her head vigorously without meaning to "I don't want to go back to him."
He looked at her confused "After all the trouble we went through? Why not?"
"Because our talk makes me happier than any crazy dance," she smiled truly embarrassed.
He raised his brow appreciatively "You've learned how to accept a compliment and also made one. That's quite a progress."
She smiled widely "I didn't offend you Sir with my honesty?"
"It's the -Sir- that offends me in this conversation," he pressed his lips.
She gave him a quick nod "Thank you for helping me tonight."
"and thank you for being a pleasant break during these bleak and dark days," the unhindered answer made her look down.
"If only I could do that all the time, I would Sir."
He rolled his eyes and huffed.
"I take the -Sir- back…Sir," she cupped her forehead truly bewildered.
He stood up and offered his hand "This is going to be a nightmare for you isn't it?"
"Yes", She took his offer and he pulled her up.
That is when the sky went bright again from another series of Gandalf fireworks. Several ponies close to them became rather restless.
"Poor creatures are very scared," she noted and looked over.
He gazed at her thoughtfully for a few moments and then moved towards the ponies, "Come" he beckoned her.
She followed with an excited smile, just knowing that he was going to remain a while longer with her.
"How good are you with these animals?" He asked and took the reigns of the one that seemed the most fearsome.
"Good enough to use them for transport" she said with simplicity and came up behind him.
"Ever tried to calm one down?" He looked back at her.
"No"
"Want to learn?" He flicked his brow.
She smiled, "Yes."
His long fingers wrapped around her arm and he pulled her over gently, "This is the night were you learn how to enjoy your fearlessness, Eilin Firebeard." He said majestically and she fell into his spell easily.
She nodded mesmerised as he began caressing the neck of the horse. He kept the reigns tight with one hand and leaned over until his forehead was touching the pony's. "hush my beauty, down, stand down…" he whispered with a soothing tone and his hand caressed it's neck steadily. Indeed after a few moments the animal began calming down under his influence even though the fireworks hadn't stopped yet.
"These animals are cowards by nature. They are tamed by us to be used in labour and war, but their instincts are to run away from a fight. Even proud stallions like the one that Thranduil gave me are afraid of sudden sounds or movement. It's the trust that they show in their rider that helps them overcome their fears and become …truly fearless in battle. They are quite different from war rams that have a nastily aggressive behaviour, but their speed and resilience make them a better choice by many."
She nodded entranced.
"You have to gain their trust first and then you have to approach them gently," he looked back at her and offered her his hand once more.
She placed her hand in his and he pulled her in front of him, "Gain it's trust. Let the animal see who you are. Stand always in front of it."
She did as she was told.
"Now caress it's forehead and move slowly towards it's neck," he said and she raised her hand and caressed the pony's head. It neighed and she laughed lightly.
"Speak to it..sooth it down," he whispered and she felt the hair on her arms standing on attention.
"Hush... everything is going to be okay. Don't let them scare you, they are going to stop…they are going to go away, they won't hurt you anymore…" the softness of her voice and the words that came unbidden from the depths of her mind were suddenly not addressed to the horse but herself. A sudden welling choked her throat and her eyes filled with unexpected tears. She heard the shallow breathing of the horse and felt it's rough fur under her fingers, but what she didn't expect was to meet his fingers at the end of her caress. She opened her eyes and felt the tears standing there at the edge unreleased. Then his azure eyes seared into hers with an intensity that made her knees melt to the ground.
"Those words were not meant for the pony, were they?" He whispered.
She closed her eyes and the first tears rolled down her cheeks. She shook her head, "No, forgive me Sir. I just wanted to be a little happy tonight and I ruined it.. I always ruin it."
His eyes looked at her with a concern that would have made her cry even harder, had she seen it.
-.-
"Do you see this?" Balin asked and crossed his arms.
"Yes" Dwalin did the same.
"Where the hell is Bofur? Isn't he supposed to be courting this young woman?" Balin frowned.
"What are you asking me for? Ask him," Dwalin grumbled.
"And what is Thorin doing here instead of talking to Fain's daughter?"
"Probably saving his sanity," Dwalin smirked devilishly.
"You are not supposed to be endorsing this. She is a maiden and he is the King," Balin glowered.
Dwalin inhaled deeply and uncrossed his arms, "I helped him bury Siv and since then I haven't seen him approach another woman. Do you think I would try to stop him, if he was ever interested in this girl?"
Balin looked at him thoughtfully, "This is highly inappropriate, and he is answerable to many people. Including the seven clans. You are placing emotion in front of logic. That's dangerous."
Dwalin shook his head, "Thorin is answerable to no one. As long as he is happy, I couldn't care less, therefore I will let you flare your nostrils at this scene alone," he said flatly and marched off.
The old dwarf turned at Thorin and Eilin and felt his feathers ruffled more about the inability of his brother to understand the importance of this, than the way Thorin and Eilin were looking at each other. He inhaled deeply and walked towards them with heavy audible steps, "What are you two doing here?" He said moulding his voice to sound pleasantly surprised.
Thorin inhaled and looked up sharply and Eilin pulled back away from the horse shocked. That is when Balin noted that she was crying and instantly regret gripped his guts. Had he misread this scene? Was Thorin trying to calm this girl down for some reason? He reached out to steady her, "are you alright lassie?"
She pulled away and wiped her eyes, "Yes I am fine, excuse me my Lords," she turned around and run away faster than the wind.
Balin looked at Thorin feeling rather confused instead of decisive as he had originally intended, "did I mess up?" He asked.
Thorin closed his eyes and sighed, "Very untimely arrival. What the hell are you doing here?" He said and pulled the reigns above the pony's head.
"I was searching for you," Balin crossed his arms, "actually half the army, your sister and Fain's daughter are searching for you also."
"That's exactly why I left," Thorin said quietly.
Balin's shoulders deflated, "you don't feel well?"
"I feel tired Balin."
Balin pursed his lips and braced himself, "what was Eilin doing here?"
"Came to pick up Bofur's nets" Thorin pointed at the shore with his head.
Balin looked and nodded, "empty are they? Didn't they catch anything?"
"Balin you don't care about the fish, so out with it…" Thorin tied the pony's reigns securely on the fence.
"what happened to the girl? Why was she crying?" Balin asked carefully. He didn't want to annoy his friend who looked already bothered beyond recognition.
"I don't know, you didn't give me a chance to find out," his words were daggers as were his eyes.
"Maybe you should allow Bofur the honour of finding out then," Balin suggested.
Thorin's lips upturned in a distasteful smile, "don't put yourself in my father's boots Balin."
"I'd never dare."
"Then keep those subtle suggestions away from me. I will deal with things as I see fit," he said with a heavy loftiness that didn't accept a retort.
"Very well laddie," Balin crossed his arms concerned.
Thorin walked past him.
"Are you returning to the gathering?"
He shook his head, "I am going to rest, my wound is throbbing and my head is killing me. Thank everyone on my behalf," he said gravely.
"Gandalf wanted to talk to you," Balin said.
"I've talked enough to the grey wizard for a day…or for a lifetime, I am not sure yet," he replied mystically and crossed his arms behind his back.
"Fain's daughter is concerned also," Balin raised his voice.
"That is truly something I don't care about," he winced.
"Your sister…" Balin tried.
"Is that lieutenant around her still?" He stopped and looked above his shoulder.
"Dongar? No, he retired a while ago."
"Very well, tell her to come to my rooms if she needs me. Don't bother the Firebeard girl about tonight. This was not her doing, but mine." He said and resumed his tired walk.
Balin crossed his arms, "I figured out as much. I won't mess with her."
Thorin nodded and left the shore, leaving Balin alone to muse at the empty nets and on the calm pony as the snow began falling heavier than ever.
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