Jasmine turned back to Thorin, trying to ignore the presence of the other woman. "Thorin," she said, hoping her voice didn't sound as desperate as she felt. "We may not see exactly eye to eye, but we need each other if we are to complete this quest, and you know it." She studied his face, looking at her with confusion and doubt. If only she had Elle's persisting skill when it came to speaking with people. Elle could persuade people to do practically whatever she wanted, which was why Jasmine had taken extra care to reach Thorin before Elle did. But apparently, she hadn't been nearly fast enough. That was how it was with Elle-you were always just a bit too slow.
"You really want to pledge your company's fate to this vagabond?" Elle asked, in her chiding, humored way. She looked at Thorin, her bright green eyes meeting his. "I would like to volunteer myself for the position of burglar in your company," she supplied, giving her signature seductive smile.
"Hold on," Thorin said, furrowing his brow. "I still have no idea who you are," he added.
"My name is Elle," Elle said sweetly. She stepped a pace closer to Thorin. "But you may have heard of me as the Sage."
"You're the Sage?" Thorin asked incredulously, squinting at the woman before him, as if searching for something evil about her, like a pair of fangs or a crude-looking weapon. But he found none. Yet another difference between Jasmine and Elle. Although they were both known as notorious criminals around Bree, people were always shocked when they heard that Elle was actually the Sage. She was such a sweet, innocent-looking young woman, while Jasmine fit everyone's idea of a perfect villain-dark features, quick-tempered, and always hiding within the darkness of her hood.
"She's a lying sneak is what she is," Jasmine growled, shooting daggers at Elle, who promptly narrowed her eyes.
"Oh, and you're much better?" Elle laughed shortly. "You, a pickpocket and a robber?"
"At least I don't blackmail people just for fun!" Jasmine shot back.
"At least I don't steal the prized possessions of innocents townspeople," Elle said tightly, turning away from her and back towards Thorin. "I believe I can prove myself most useful, sir," she said, curtseying slightly. "I have read much lore surrounding the lost kingdom of Erebor, and may be of much help when it comes time to defeat the dragon."
"What use is lore?" Jasmine scoffed. "When you're a second away from being incinerated by a dragon's fiery breath, is a book really going to save your life?"
"Acting with educated decisions will save your life, not acting like a reckless teenager," Elle clipped, scowling at her.
Thorin looked between the two women, utterly bewildered. In front of him were Bree's most infamous crooks, and yet here they were, fighting and bickering like children. Of course, one of them nearly was a child, being only eighteen, but such behavior was naive even for someone of her age.
And he had thought he would have difficulty trying to fill the burglar position in his company, and now here were two highly skilled thieves fighting for that very spot.
But something was still nagging at him, something that seemed off about this whole situation. Something that the Wraith-Jasmine, as he had heard Elle call her-had said earlier. We need each other if we are to complete this quest. What did Jasmine-and Elle-want? What was in it for them?
"Why are you two even here?" he asked. "Why do you want to join the company?"
"That's none of your business," Jasmine snapped at the same time that Elle cheerfully quipped, "Where do I begin?"
Thorin opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out.
"I'd like to help you reclaim Erebor and rebuild the city to it's former glory," Elle continued, clasping a hand to her chest dramatically. "As a half-dwarf, the loss of the greatest kingdom in Middle Earth saddens me greatly, and the thought of my kin suffering in the wild…" the woman trailed off, biting her lip. "I know it sounds silly, and you may not believe me, but I really do want to see Erebor restored, and I want to help you do so."
The Wraith snorted. "She's not telling you the full story," she muttered.
"At least I'm telling him a story," Elle snapped. "You're not even being honest and telling him why you're here."
"He doesn't need to know that," Jasmine shot back. "I'll be the burglar, and he won't ask questions. It's a simple transaction."
"I bet if you took off your hood it wouldn't be so simple," Elle hissed, her voice treacherous and warning.
Jasmine stiffened, and Thorin could see her retreat further into the darkness of her cloak's cowl.
Thorin examined the interaction between the two of them, feeling torn. On the one hand, he wanted to recruit one of them-or both of them-to join his company so that they could finally depart for Erebor. After so many years of waiting, he was desperate to get on the road. But, neither one of these women seemed very trustworthy. Elle's story seeming fake, and Jasmine not even telling him her motives, let alone the nonsense with the hood.
But wasn't the future of his people worth a little risk?
"Alright," he said, catching the attention of the two thieves. "I'm recruiting both of you."
"What?" Jasmine shrieked, next to her, Elle, looking equally startled.
"Yes," Thorin said again. "Both of you will be of use to our company. So both of you will be a part of the company."
"No, no, no," Elle said hurriedly. "Thorin, you don't understand-"
"Either both of you are coming along, or neither one of you is," Thorin snapped. "Meet me and the rest of the company in the inn stables tomorrow morning at first light. And don't be late."
Elle traveled down the streets of Bree, keeping her head low. She couldn't afford to get snatched up by some local authority, at least, not now, not after all she had gone through to get to this one moment.
The events of last night kept replaying through her mind, each detail crystal clear. Of course, that was how all of her memories were-each one sharp and completely accurate. That was how she had earned her title as the Sage. But this memory-this one seemed important.
She reached the inn in record time, quickly glancing around to make sure no one was watching. Then she scurried behind the building, around back to where she knew the stables were located.
She was ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
Jasmine watched as the stumbling figure in a green traveling cloak grew nearer, making it's way down the hill to the stables. Elle, she thought, a smile gracing her lips. Elle might be a persuasive, manipulative mastermind, but when it came to stealth, she was like a fish stranded on land.
Jasmine had gotten to the stables half an hour early, as she always did, when she was meant to meet someone somewhere. Arriving early allowed her to map out her surroundings, in case she needed to make a quick escape. A tactic that often came in handy.
When Elle looked up and saw Jasmine already sitting upon one of the hay bales in front of the stables, her brows knitted together. "Jasmine," she said curtly.
"Elle," she replied, just as shortly.
They stood in silence for a moment, neither one of them wanting to be the one to break it.
"I know why you're here," Elle said after a moment. "And it's only a matter of time before the others find out."
"I know why you're here too," Jasmine replied, pulling her hood protectively further over her head. "And I doubt you'll last long either."
"How long do you think you can hide behind that thing, Jasmine?" Elle snorted, jokingly reaching out, as if to snatch the fabric of the hood away, revealing Jasmine's face. Instinctively, Jasmine flinched away, her hands flying to the daggers hitched to her belt. With a smirk, Elle lowered her hand. "See? You won't last a day."
"And what's your genius plan?" Jasmine said evasively, trying to change the subject. "Planning to get all cozy with Thorin and then-"
"If you dare repeat to anyone what you're about to say," Elle began, her voice taking on a dangerous edge. "I'll tell them exactly why you're here, and I can guarantee that they won't be too eager to forgive you."
"Deal," Jasmine agreed reluctantly. "Neither one of us tells."
"Deal," Elle nodded.
At that moment, voices nearby jolted them back to alertness.
A pair of two dwarves, one dark-haired and the other blonde, were making their way towards the stables.
Jasmine watched the two dwarves draw nearer and nearer, her fists clenching, unclenching and then clenching again. Even so many years after the incident, the sight of even one halfling made her blood churn.
When the dwarves reached the stables, Jasmine stiffened, fighting the urge to reach for her dagger. The two dwarves glanced at them warily, their eyes lingering on her. She, a tall, cloaked figure next to a sweet, innocent Elle, must have looked like quite the rogue.
"Are you…" the blonde dwarf began, looking between them. "The burglar?" It wasn't clear to any of them, even the dwarf himself, who he was directing the question at.
"I'm Elle," Elle volunteered, holding out her hand with a cheery smile on her face.
The blonde dwarf shook it cautiously, his doubt seemingly nowhere near satisfied.
"I'm Jasmine," Jasmine said reluctantly, slowly inching away from the others. It had been years since she'd last spoken with so many strangers, and the situation was making her astronomically uncomfortable. She didn't hold out her hand.
"Oh, going by Jasmine now?" Elle smirked. "Was 'the Wraith' getting too boring?"
"I outgrew it," Jasmine replied icily, glaring at her.
The two dwarves looked utterly perplexed, but the dark-haired one quickly recovered, a cocky smile crossing his lips. "So, which one of you is the burglar?" he asked.
"Both of us," Jasmine grimaced, saying it out loud making her want to vomit.
"Really?" the blonde one asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Unfortunately," Jasmine cut in, rolling her eyes.
The dark-haired dwarf gave a small laugh, his huge brown eyes meeting hers. It was one of the first times anyone had ever looked at her directly before, at least, not without anger or fear. When he looked at her, his eyes were full of curiosity and interest and humor, something she had never seen, especially not directed at her. But when his eyes crossed hers, she felt a sort of intrusion, as if an invisible hand were pulling back her hood, leaving her utterly exposed. Before a few seconds had passed, she tore her eyes away.
Yes, the two thieves were acting rather childish in this chapter. :P I promise they'll get more mature later on.
Also, I plan on focusing mainly on Jasmine for this fic, but the spotlight will be very much on both Elle and Jasmine. There will still be narratives and chapters written from each of their points of view, but there might be slightly more Jasmine chapters.
Please like, follow and review! :)