Chapter 16
Several hours later, a knock on her door awoke Ember from her sleep. "My lady, it is time to get ready for the feast," a voice called. She grumpily moaned her acknowledgement as the door opened. "I see you still don't like to be woken early," the voice said dryly.
"Melinel! I have missed you!" Ember squealed, her eyes lighting up at her friend. She leaped off the bed, wrapping the taller elf in a warm embrace. Suddenly, Ember pulled back. "Did Lord Elrond send you?" she asked suspiciously. Melinel grinned sheepishly.
"My Lord has instructed me to make his 'a'mael harma the most beautiful creature at the feast this evening'. In other words…you have to wear a dress." Ember groaned in reluctance as her friend guided her into the bathing chamber. This was going to take a while.
Kili followed his uncle and Fili outside onto the balcony of their large chamber. The beauty of Rivendell spread out before them as they sat on small chairs, Fili sitting as close to his brother as he felt Thorin would allow. Kili sat in silence as Thorin stared at him intently. "Kili, this has gone far enough. I cannot allow her to continue on our journey." Kili glared at his uncle, clenching his fists with a fury he had never felt before.
"Ember has saved not only my life, but the lives of almost everyone in this company. Why now are you refusing to let her continue on the Quest?" Kili growled.
"Indeed, we have much to thank her for. However, I do not trust these elves—
"She is not an ELF!" Kili interrupted angrily.
"She was raised by elves! She is part human!" Thorin shouted back.
"She is also part DWARF!" Kili retorted. Thorin looked at him steadily.
"I know this, Kili. But things have changed, more so than you realize. If she is as powerful as they say, she is a danger to us all. I cannot allow her to endanger the Company. It is too much of a risk!" Thorin hated the pain and anger in his nephew's eyes, but he could not risk everything they had fought for, simply for Kili's happiness. Kili turned to lean on the stone balcony, as Fili wrapped an arm about his shoulders.
"Do you agree, nadad?" Kili whispered. Fili sighed, torn between the two people he cared for the most in this world. "Because I do not see her as dangerous. I see how hard she has fought to keep us all safe, and I do not believe that her power is a danger to us."
"She cannot control it, Kili," Fili mumbled.
"They will teach her!" Kili cried, shrugging his brother's arm away lightly. He stared out into the late afternoon light. "We have a few days before we must continue on. She is a member of the company. I will NOT abandon her…and I know the others won't either."
"It is MY company, boy," Thorin growled, his temper flaring and anger in his eyes. "I decide who stays and who goes."
"If she stays, then I stay." Thorin looked at him in shock.
"You would abandon us…your kin, for her?"
"She saved my life, Uncle." Fili looked at him stunned, hearing the depth of Kili's affection for her.
"Nadadith, I know you care for her very deeply, but..."
"I love her." Kili said quietly. Thorin closed his eyes briefly, before losing the struggle to control his anger.
"Love her?" He sneered. "You know NOTHING of love! You have bedded her and after one night you think you love her? Humans don't know how to love! You know that a human whore is good for nothing more than a quick tumble in the back of an inn…not for-" Kili's fist smashed into his uncle's face as Fili struggled to pull him away. Thorin stumbled back in shock as a trickle of blood slipped down his cheek.
"KILI!" Fili cried out as his brother stormed back into the chamber, slamming the door in fury. Thorin sat down slowly, stunned. Neither boy had ever raised their hand to him before nor had he ever done so to them. The small cut below his eye was nothing compared to the cut in his soul. Fili glared at his uncle. "How could you? How could you hurt him like that?"
"Fili….I have come to accept her as much as the others…but you cannot escape the fact that she is half human…and last night she acted no differently than any other human woman when she allowed him to stay in her bed. And I know it happened on the road." Thorin glanced up at his eldest nephew, who was sadly shaking his head.
"Uncle, Kili did not bed her. Whenever she had a nightmare on the road, we couldn't wake her up. He would take her in his arms and rock her like a child, humming to her until she settled. Besides, last night she was gravely wounded, you know they couldn't have been together. I am certain he did kiss her this morning…but nothing more." Thorin listened to the logic in his nephew's words, then bowed his head in shame. His hatred and distrust of elves, along with this unexplained power she possessed had robbed him of his senses. He sighed wearily.
"I cannot believe I thought so little of her," he muttered. Fili sat down beside his uncle.
"I cannot believe you thought so little of Kili," he said softly. "You of all people know how things have been for him, the teasing, the rumors, he has never opened himself up to any female. Why would you think he would do so now, without being sure of how she felt for him?" Thorin stared at his heir silently, deep in thought.
"He truly does love her, doesn't he?" He sighed, with a fond smile at the thought of his little Kili in love.
"She is my hrun," a quiet voice interrupted. They looked up to see Kili, his anger gone, only shame at having struck his uncle, standing before them. Thorin rose silently, approaching his youngest nephew warily. Thorin could see the young dwarf trembling.
"Your hrun?" he asked. Kili nodded, his head still bowed. Thorin hesitantly reached his hand out, gently lifting Kili's chin. The pain in his eyes was churning as Kili timidly reached a hand to Thorin's bloody cheek.
"Uncle…I am—" Kili's apology was muffled as his uncle gathered him into a bear hug. Kili wrapped his arms around his uncle…the only father he had ever known. Thorin chuckled softly, embracing his youngest nephew tightly. "Thank you, Uncle." Kili whispered. Thorin clapped him on the back as he released him.
"Well, lad, if she is truly your hrun, I cannot object to your courtship. However, I still am uneasy about this power. Let us hope the wizard…and the elf will be able to help her." Kili grinned happily, until a terrible thought suddenly hit him. Thorin noticed Kili's horrified look and turned to Fili, who shrugged his shoulders in confusion. "Kili, what is it?" Thorin asked.
"Mahal, Uncle…I have told Lord Elrond, and now you that she is my hrun." Kili gasped.
"Yes…and?" Thorin asked, still befuddled.
"I just…haven't told her yet!" Kili groaned. Thorin and Fili looked at each other before roaring with laughter.
Ember sighed as Melinel surveyed her handiwork. After two hours, it seemed she was finally satisfied with the young dwarf-woman in front of her. She nodded happily as Ember finally turned to see what she looked like. The reflection in the mirror took her breath away. Her golden hair was in long curls and ringlets down her back, the reddish highlights gleaming, brought out by the deep red color of her dress, which was trimmed in pale cream. A red and silver circlet weaved between the soft waves of her hair. The dress curved tightly around her bodice, then flowed outward in soft layers of silk. Her cheeks had a natural blush, her lips were as red as a rose and her blue eyes had been enhanced with a thin black kohl liner. She looked stunning…and she felt completely uncomfortable. She glared back at her friend, who just laughed. "I am just following orders, Ember!" Melinel giggled. "Plus, it is worth it to see the look on your face!" Ember glared at her, then laughed. A knock at the door interrupted their teasing, and Ember opened it in surprise. Lindir stood before her, his dark eyes smiling in appreciation at her beauty.
"Lindir…what are you doing here?" Ember asked with a sigh.
"Escorting you to the feast, of course," he answered, offering his arm. She looked back at Melinel, but reluctantly placed her hand on his arm as he guided her to the great hall. "It is good to see that you are well again, Lady Ember," he said, "I cannot tell you what I felt when I saw you bleeding in that dwarf's arms. Or when I saw him kiss you..." She heard the disdain in his voice.
"That dwarf saved my life, Lindir," she replied quietly. He glanced down at her, frowning as he continued.
"It is my understanding that you healed yourself, my Lady. And if it wasn't for this ridiculous dwarven quest, you wouldn't have been injured in the first place." She stopped, pulling her hand away.
"Do you forget that I am half-dwarf?" She growled. "This quest is as much mine as it is theirs, as I told you before I left weeks ago!" Lindir sighed.
"My lady, I did not want to upset you. You know my feelings for you and—"She cut him off.
"And you know mine. So please, be the friend that you have always been. Let us not ruin this evening, or the few that I will still have while we remain here in Rivendell." He winced at her use of the word "friend", but nodded silently. He offered her his arm again, and after a moment she accepted. She allowed him to lead her into the great hall, spotting her dwarves at two long tables that had been placed for them. She was unprepared, however, for the complete silence that filled the room, and she realized every eye was upon her.
After his uncle and brother had laughed themselves silly over his dilemma, they had followed Kili into the chamber to prepare for the feast. They quickly bathed and after an elf servant knocked on the door, followed him to a great hall that lay open to the blue sky above. The other dwarves soon arrived, all clean, and they quickly sat at the two small tables that had been brought out for them. The dwarves could not deny the genuine hospitality of their host. They all bowed as Lord Elrond and Gandalf entered and sat at a larger table, where Thorin had been seated. Kili's eyes searched the large room, hunting for Ember, when a sudden gasp escaped from his brother. There was silence in the room as Kili turned to see his Ember entering the room…on the arm of the elf that had attacked him. He made to rise in anger, when his gaze met Ember's. She smiled at him as he drank in her beauty. Her dress brought out the natural colors of her golden hair, which had never looked so lovely. The dress hugged her curves and flowed gracefully. Her blue eyes calmed him, a warmth spreading throughout his chest.
"Well, Lassie," called Bofur, "you sure clean up good!" The dwarves all laughed and cheered in agreement. Ember rolled her eyes, and made to approach them, when the elf holding her arm pulled her to the head table. Dwalin growled disapprovingly at the elf, but after a quick glance from Thorin, he quieted.
"My dear Ember," Gandalf smiled, "what a vision you make this evening." She grinned at him as Lindir pulled out her chair for her to sit. He then moved to stand a few feet away, just beside Lord Elrond.
"Truth be known, Istarnin, I have never been so uncomfortable!" she bemoaned. He laughed, knowing her preference for pants over dresses.
"It has been a long time since you have worn such a dress, a'mael harma," smiled Lord Elrond. "I shall have to congratulate Melinel on her choice of gown."
"Herunin, you are lucky that I didn't try to escape through the window!" They all chuckled, even Thorin, who could see how happy she truly was. However, he did not like the look of the elf who had escorted her to the table. Ember noticed his frown, and sent him a cheeky grin, rolling her eyes. Thorin smiled, and looked down at the plate set before him. The others in the company did the same, and Ember tuned into their conversation.
"Where's the meat?" Dwalin scowled as Dori tried to get his little brother Ori to try the vegetables placed before him.
"Just a mouthful," he urged.
"I don't like green food." Ori answered stubbornly. Ember motioned to one of the servants, and whispered in her ear. The dwarves cheered loudly as plates of savoury meat were soon brought forth. Thorin sat back, impressed with her thoughtfulness. She listened as Gandalf described their encounter with the trolls along the Great East Road.
"And what were you doing on the Great East Road?" Lord Elrond addressed Thorin. Ember grinned as Thorin seemed perturbed by the Elf's questioning. She figured she may as well take the plunge.
"Master Oakenshield has an old map that he wondered if you would be able to take a look at, herunin." She smiled sweetly as Thorin glared at her. Her saucy nature astounded him.
"Well, perhaps after our feast, we can take a look, a'mael harma." Lord Elrond then turned to Gandalf, as Ember rose from the table.
"I am going to join my friends," she said, and stepped lightly down to the dwarven table, placing herself beside Kili. She giggled as Nori spoke up suddenly, frustrated with the elvish flutist that had played near his ear.
"Can't you change the tune? I feel like I'm at a funeral!"
"Did somebody die?" Oin asked confused.
"Alright lads, there is only one thing for it!" Bofur grinned at her, stood up on a large stool, and began to serenade the company.
"There's an inn, there's an inn, there's a merry old inn, beneath an old grey hill,
And there they brew a beer so brown, the man in the moon himself came down, one night to drink his fill." Ember laughed as the others joined in.
"Oh, the ostler has a tipsy cat, that plays a five string fiddle,
And up and down he saws his bow, now squeaking high, now purring low, now sawing in the middle.
So, the cat in the fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle, a jig that would wake the dead,
And he squeaked and he sawed and he quickened his tune,
While the landlord shook the man in the moon, it's after three he said!"
Bofur finished with a shout, as the dwarves began to toss food about in laughter and mirth. Ember joined the fun, shoving a honey cake into Kili's face. He grinned at her, smearing some cream on her nose, when he looked over to see Lindir glaring at them. Kili threw a honey cake right past Lord Elrond, narrowly missing Lindir. The elf scowled, storming out of the feast. Ember frowned worriedly, rising to follow him. Kili reached for her arm, but she shook her head.
"He's my friend," she muttered. He sighed as she followed the elf out of the room. He had a bad feeling about this. Dwalin met his eyes, nodding his silent agreement. They didn't like this at all.
hrun - One
a'mael harma - beloved treasure
Sorry it took so long for an update! I was on holidays! Please REVIEW! Let me know how I am doing!
I own nothing but Ember!
Next chapter coming soon!