Previously
"Thank you." She replied, embarrassment etched on her face. She sat down next to Fili and Kili, and they were joined by Bilbo and Ori, both of whom were wondering about her health. Ori pulled out his book and some charcoal, and started to sketch the scene before him. Kili watched her as she told them about Nethril, and the healing salve. After a while, she glanced up, catching his gaze. He kept eye contact for a few moments, before turning away, trying to stop himself from saying anything he shouldn't. He remembered something his uncle had told him. Dwarves only love once Kili, he had said. Make sure you choose the right one. He looked at Eve again, as she laughed at one of Fili's jokes. Yes, he told himself. Yes, I think I have.
Disclaimer; I do not own the Hobbit; I only own my character Eve. Coldplay owns the song.
Chapter 6. To Leave Or Stay In Paradise
"I still don't see why I can't!" Eve yelled; her voice hoarse. She had been arguing with Thorin over whether or not she was allowed to stay in the company for several hours now. The other members had gotten bored, and were either lazing around by the fire, or sleeping. Kili and Fili had tried to talk their uncle round, they were used to Eve's company by now, and neither of them could bear the thought of losing her. However, they had given up a while ago, so it was now down to Eve.
Kili was still watching, intently. She glanced at him, as Thorin started shouting at her again, his face as red as Gloin's hair.
"You are not healed enough, and we don't want you getting injured again! You can stay here, protected and cared for; there is nothing for you where we are going!" She glared at him, feeling tears well up in her eyes. The injustice, the-the-how did he know there was nothing for her? Once again, she found herself looking at his youngest nephew, finding his gaze renewed her strength. She took a deep breath, and looked straight into Thorin's eyes.
"You have no idea what lies ahead, nor if there is anything there for me. You still know virtually nothing about me, and you have no idea what I am capable of. I can fight, as I demonstrated when I beat your nephew. I saved your life Thorin Oakenshield, you owe me, whether you like it or not. What I ask for is to be allowed on this journey, and the more people behind you, the better." Her voice was eerily calm, and how it came out so steady she had no idea, her hands were shaking in silent fury. He stared at her, and she could tell she had won. If there was something the dwarf king hated, it was being indebted to someone. He turned on his heel, and walked to the rest of the company, most of whom were staring at them, their mouths wide open.
"We leave at dawn." He said gruffly, before walking out the room. There was a moment of silence, before the dwarves who were still awake started cheering, and hugged Eve numerous times. Kili was watching her, his eyes bright, and a smile playing on his lips. But there was another emotion hidden in his eyes, something only his brother recognised. Fear. Fear for her. However, he went over and hugged her as well, maybe a tad longer than the other dwarves, but she didn't mind. She rested her head against his chest, sighing with relief that she wouldn't lose her new friends. There was a small cough behind them, and she pulled away, a blush creeping into her face as she saw Fili giving her a knowing look. She looked down, and quickly ran off to pack her bag, whilst Kili scowled at his brother.
Eve closed the door of her room with a sigh, the redness still apparent on her cheeks. Trust Fili to ruin their moment. Not that Thorin would approve, he'd probably disown Kili if they- stop it Eve, she told herself. You were only hugging him. Nothing else, he probably thinks of you as his little sister, if that! She slowly moved away from the door, picking up her pack and putting it on her bed. The room was quite light, to say it was early evening, and she gazed out the window, looking at the beautiful vista she might never see again. That thought made her heart break a little, Rivendell was the most beautiful place she had ever been to, or even imagined. Gathering her belongings, Eve filled her sack, placing in it some of the clothes the Elves had given her. She was just tying it closed, when she heard a gentle knock on the door, too gentle for a dwarf. She walked over, and opened it, gasping in surprise as Arwen Undomiel stood on the threshold. The Elf smiled at her, gliding into the room with such grace, it made Eve feel jealous.
"May-may I help you Milady?" she stammered, trying to think if she had done something wrong.
"I have a gift for you, two actually." She said; her voice as soft as silk. She held out a small box, and, feeling slightly nervous, Eve opened it. Inside, on a velvet cushion, lay a vial filled with an amber coloured liquid. She looked up at the Elf in confusion.
"What is it?" she asked, looking at the ornate runes carved into the glass.
"This is the most powerful healing potion in Middle-Earth." Arwen replied. "It can heal almost every wound and ailment, and one need only use three drops. I have a feeling you will need it before your journey ends." Eve bit her lip, amazed at the generous gift. It must be a rare potion indeed.
"A word of warning though," the elf added. "Never use more than three drops in a day, or whoever takes it will be driven insane." Eve's eyes went wide, and she looked at the vial with more caution than before.
"Th-thank you." She whispered, gratitude filling her eyes. Arwen smiled at her, before holding out a dagger.
"This is my other gift. It is of Elven make, and called Feryn, the hunter. The sword will glow blue when danger is near, and if you lay it on the ground and spin it, the blade will always point north." She looked at Eve, and there was sadness in her eyes. "Good luck." She whispered, before quietly leaving the room. Eve packed the box into her bag, and attached the knife to her belt. Then she walked over to the window, and climbed out onto a little balcony. Leaning on the rail, she quietly started to sing, as she looked at the valley in front of her.
"When she was just a girl
She expected the world
But it flew away from her reach so
She ran away in her sleep
And dreamed of
Para-para-paradise, Para-para-paradise, Para-para-paradise
Every time she closed her eyes
When she was just a girl
She expected the world
But it flew away from her reach
And the bullets catch in her teeth
Life goes on, it gets so heavy
The wheel breaks the butterfly
Every tear a waterfall
In the night the stormy night she'll close her eyes
In the night the stormy night away she'd fly
And dreams of
Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise
Oh oh oh oh oh oh-oh-oh
She'd dream of
Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise
Oh oh oh oh oh oh-oh-oh-oh
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
And so lying underneath those stormy skies
She'd say, "Oh, ohohohoh I know the sun must set to rise"
This could be
Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise
This could be
Para-para-paradise
Oh oh oh oh oh oh-oh-oh
This could be
Para-para-paradise
Para-para-paradise
This could be
Para-para-paradise
Oh oh oh oh oh-oh-oh-oh." She started to sob, a tear rolling down her cheek. Someone put a hand on her shoulder, and she jumped, turning around to see Kili looking at her sadly. He gently wiped the tear from her cheek, as she stared at him in shock.
"That was beautiful." He told her, wrapping his arms around her. She put her head on his chest, and stood there in his arms, feeling the safety and love that she had not known for so long. It brought all her memories back, and she broke-down, letting go of all the pain and anger she had inside her, finding all the comfort she need in Kili's embrace.
After he had carried Eve to her bed, and checked she was ok, Kili made his way back to the other dwarves. They were in the big hall, and he tried to slip in as inconspicuously as possible. He managed surprisingly well, only Bofur and Fili noticed him. He walked over to his brother, and slumped down against the wall.
Fili was watching him with a curious expression, and the moment he had sat down, he asked, "Where have you been?" Kili ignored the question, staring into the fire, so his brother repeated it again, a little more insistently.
Kili looked at him, and answered evasively. "Walking..."
Fili sighed. "You went to see Eve, didn't you?" His brother made no reply, so Fili knew he was correct. "You know uncle won't be pleased if you-" he was cut off, however, by an angry remark from Kili.
"Do you think I care? If uncle disapproves, that's fine, but I have made my decision Fili, and you had best accept it." Fili looked taken aback.
"Kili, I didn't mean-"
"I know what you meant brother." He replied, before turning to his pack and laying out his bed-roll. "Night." He lay with his back to Fili, and guilt stabbed at him. He shouldn't have snapped, he didn't know why he had. He was just so worried about Eve, and wasn't sure if her coming with them was a good idea. He sighed, and felt a hand on his head. Fili had often done this to help him calm down, and it helped as much as it had all those years ago.
"I'm sorry Fili." He muttered, rolling over to face his brother.
"I know Kili." Fili replied, smiling sadly at him. "Just… don't anger uncle. Please." Kili nodded, and closed his eyes, trying to find some peace. Fili kept his hand on his little brothers head, and Kili slowly drifted off to sleep.
He woke up to someone shaking him. Blinking open his eyes, he saw Bofur grinning down at him.
"G'morning lad." He said, offering a hand to pull him up. Kili grasped it, and got to his feet, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He looked around the other members of the company, noting three were missing; Eve, Fili and Thorin. He turned to Bofur, about to ask him where they were, but the toymaker beat him to it.
"Fili is waking Miss Eve up, and Thorin is speaking with Gandalf." He told him, his eyes twinkling. "You had better make sure you've got everything, we're leaving as soon as your uncle returns." Kili nodded, and rolled his blankets up, stuffing them in his pack. He felt someone tap his shoulder, and Ori stood behind him, holding out some bread and a mug of water.
"You missed breakfast, and I thought you might be hungry." He said with a smile. Kili thanked him, and gratefully ate his meal. He kept looking up at the door, wondering why it was taking Fili so long.
"Eve. Eve! EVE!" She sat up, her hand darting to the knife on her bedside table. She looked up, and sighed with relief when she saw it was only Fili.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize." She mumbled, looking at him apologetically. He chuckled, but a frown appeared on his forehead. She noticed this change, and, tilting her head to the side, asked him what the matter was.
He started chewing his lip, before saying, "Its Kili…" She looked at him in surprise.
"Kili? What's wrong with him? Has something happened?" Fili shook his head, avoiding her gaze.
"It's Kili…and you." Her eyes widened, staring at him in confusion.
"Kili and me?" He ran a hand through his hair, why didn't she understand?!
"Kili likes you, a lot. And the thing is, I doubt my uncle will approve, and I just, I just don't want Kili to be hurt." He finally looked at her, and was shocked to see the pain in her eyes. "I don't mean-I-darn, I'm rubbish at this!"
"It's ok." She replied quietly. "I understand. I'm sorry… I guess we didn't really think it through, him being an heir of Durin, and me being… me being a nobody." He looked at her in horror, about to explain himself, but she shook her head.
"I need to get ready, if I'm going to continue the journey with you. Would you please leave?" He looked at her, hesitating slightly, before bowing his head, and walking out the room. The moment the door closed, she burst into tears, burying her head in her pillow. He mentally shook herself. If any of the dwarves could see her now, they would think her weak. She was NOT weak. Jumping up, Eve grabbed her gear, and her clothes, changing into her leggings, tunic, and leather bodice. Swinging her cloak around her shoulders, and grabbing her pack, she marched out the room. She ran back in a moment later to pull on her boots, muttering about her stupidity, before leaving the room once again, picking up her pack, and heading off to find the dwarves.
A couple of the dwarves looked up as she marched into their midst, Kili included, but she ignored them, and stood in a corner, out of the way. She didn't see the look of hurt that crossed Kili's face, or the suspicious look he gave his brother. Thorin glanced at her, before turning to address the group.
"We are leaving immediately, for Lord Elrond is in a meeting, and cannot stop us. Gandalf will meet us in the mountains, since he is also in this conference. We must stay out of sight of any elves, for they will alert Lord Elrond of our departure. Let's go."
The company set off, and Eve kept a distance, staying at the back. She saw Kili stop to wait for her, and felt a pain in her chest as she met his gaze. He was frowning at her, as if trying to figure out what he had done wrong. She glanced at his brother, and then looked down at her feet, as she walked up to them. Kili opened his mouth to speak, but Fili shook his head. They walked on in silence, and as she crossed the bridge over the River Bruinen, she glanced back. A figure was standing at the top of the staircase to the Last Homely House, dressed in white, her dark hair falling over her shoulders. Arwen Undomiel raised a hand in farewell and Eve waved back, as she followed after the rest of the company, leaving the safety of the valley.
A/N Well... that was interesting to do! I had an idea of what I was going to write, and this is not what I had planned! C'est la vie! I like little dilemmas! Hope you enjoy it, and if you don't… I wrote this on very little sleep, not that that is a very good excuse! I know the Title is rubbish... I couldn't think of anything! XD
Thank you everyone who reviewed, sorry if I forgot to reply to you! You guys are seriously amazing! And you have given me some great ideas for future chapters!
Each review is like a chocolate cupcake topped with whipped cream, mmmm creeeeeammm!
Anyway, please review! It helps me write faster! Honest! ~Littlelotsmayhavehadtoomuchs ugar ^.^