IMPORTANT NOTE! I had to slightly edit Chapter 10 to make this work, so if you read it before the 19/03/2013 then you might want to re-read it! Thank you! ~Littlelots ^.^
Previously
Fili's fingers gently brushed against Dûrion's feathers, and he smiled at the silkiness of them. Tiriel raised her eyebrows.
"He hasn't tried to kill you yet, so that's a good thing." she said, grinning good-humouredly at him. A shout from behind them made Fili turn around, and he saw his uncle glaring at him, motioning for him to return to the group. He looked back at the elf, smiling apologetically.
"Excuse me, Milady." He started to walk towards the group, but Tiriel called him back.
"You never told me your name, master dwarf." She said, tilting her head slightly. He grinned, his eyes crinkling in the corners.
"Fili, at your service." He told her, bowing politely. She nodded at him, and Fili reluctantly made his way back to the company.
Chapter 11. Thanks For That, Brother
Eve noticed Thorin walk over to Gandalf, a determined air surrounding him. He kept glancing at Tiriel, who was watching the group. Feeling a tap on her shoulder, Eve spun round, to see Kili smiling at her. They stood there for a few moments, gazing into each other's eyes, until a snigger from Bofur brought them back to reality. Eve pouted at the dwarf, making him burst out laughing, his hat flopping on his head. Sighing, she turned away from the dwarf, her hand slipping into Kili's. Luckily Thorin was on the other side of the Carrock, and didn't notice the actions of his nephew or the human. She caught Kili's smile as he squeezed her hand in his, causing her to blush. He slowly pulled her away from the mass of dwarves, and his uncle's sight, and they crept down the stairs till they were completely hidden from view. Eve noticed Tiriel watching them leave, but the Elf remained silent and did not draw attention to them.
"Kili?" Eve asked cautiously, looking at the dwarf who was leading her away. He stopped and turned to her, his brown eyes meeting hers. He took a step towards her, he was so close that they were almost touching, and he rested his forehead against hers.
"Yes?" he replied softly, his hand still around her own. She stared at him for a moment, her eyes instinctively moving to look at his lips, and then back to his eyes. He smirked, his free hand slowly moving to her waist. Eve felt her heartbeat quicken, something she had never before experienced. Kili let go of her hand, his fingers caressing her cheek as he leaned forwards-
"Kili!" They pulled away from each other as fast as lightning. Kili cursed in Khuzdul as Fili appeared round a corner, stopping as he saw the couple standing awkwardly, his mouth forming a comical O. He coughed, his face heating up, and he quickly relayed his message.
"Uncle is looking for you…" he muttered, avoiding his brother's furious gaze. Kili strode off towards the group, brushing past his brother, leaving a red-faced Fili and a very embarrassed Eve behind him. Eve turned away, not able to look at him, and felt her eyes fill with tears. Fili sighed, and headed off after his brother, leaving Eve alone to her thoughts.
Kili stomped up the stairs to where his uncle was waiting. He wanted to strangle Fili! Couldn't he have waited one more minute before interrupting?! On the other hand, Eve hadn't resisted, or made him stop… maybe she felt the same way? With these thoughts flying round his head, he climbed up the last step, and walked towards the company, an angry aura surrounding him. Thorin looked up as he approached, and scrutinized him, as though trying to perceive the reason for his mood. Fili appeared behind him, his face still a little red, causing Thorin's suspicion to deepen. When the brothers reached the group, Thorin continued with his speech.
"Gandalf has… requested that we accept the company of the Elf. I do not agree with this, but he remains adamant." Thorin appeared calm, but the fury in his voice was evident. He glared at the wizard, who seemed completely indifferent. Tiriel was watching them from a distance; she didn't really want to join them, not if they were going to remain hostile towards her. Unfortunately she owed Gandalf a debt, which he had kindly called in. Kili looked behind him, Eve still hadn't appeared, and he felt guilt flow through him. He was going to kill his stupid brother the moment he got the chance. Fili was just a few feet away, not meeting his brother's glare; instead he stared at his feet. Kili felt some of his fury evaporate, not all, but some.
"We will leave immediately and head for this 'Beorn'. Gandalf believes he will help us." And with that, Thorin turned and started walking down the steps. Kili stayed where he was, waiting for the rest of the dwarves to pass, before following.
Eve dried her eyes and sat down on the edge of a step, her legs dangling over the side. She gazed into the distance, looking at the setting sun. It reminded her of another scene, the beginning of her adventure. However, she had Katie with her then, now she was alone. Her fingers found their way to the bracelet, the bracelet that had changed everything. If she hadn't opened the casket, if she hadn't been so curious, she wouldn't be here.
Curiosity killed the cat; she quoted, gazing up at the sky. The golden sun cast a pinkish tinge on the surrounding clouds, contrasting against the leafy green of the forest below. A thrush flew past her, heading towards the lonely mountain. It stood resolute, standing out from the rest of the scenery, its tip surrounded by mist. Dwarves and their lust for gold, she thought sadly. She heard footsteps stomping down behind her, and a gruff voice asked,
"Why were you not with the group?" Eve didn't need to turn to find out who it was, and she replied softly,
"I came for some quiet. I wanted to be alone." She stressed the last few words, trying to make Thorin realise. Apparently he got the hint, as he started walking away.
"We're leaving." Was the last thing he told her, before the other dwarves arrived, and he continued down the stairs. The steps were huge, not hewn from the rock for a regular man; even Gandalf was finding them a bit big for his liking. It was worse for the dwarves and poor little Bilbo was having a lot of trouble. Each step he worried about falling, though the Elf was close and helped him when he needed it.
Eve waited for them all to pass, sitting quietly on the edge. A hand touched her shoulder, and she looked up to see Kili standing behind her, a small smile on his face, and her bag in his hand. She thanked him gratefully, swinging it over her shoulder as she began to follow them. Fili was near the front of the group, it was very rare that the brothers were not together, and Eve was worried that she was the cause of this, or partly. They continued climbing downwards, Kili often turning to help her if he believed a drop to be too far, not that they ever were.
Fili watched his brother help Eve jump down the last step, and smiled when his brother caught her in his arms. The pair looked around quickly, checking to see if anyone had noticed, and Fili averted his gaze, not wishing to embarrass them further. Fili turned, walking towards his uncle, who was discussing something with Dwalin and Balin. As he passed Bofur, the dwarf reached out a hand and pulled him aside. Frowning at his friend, Fili asked him what was going on. Looking around, Bofur whispered,
"Well? Did they kiss?" He was grinning from ear to ear, watching Fili intently. Fili felt his eyes widen, and his cheeks flared up again.
"No." he replied, awkwardly turning away from the dwarf. Bofur sighed loudly behind him, and Fili could hear him muttering about them getting on with it. The dwarf prince quickly headed over to his uncle, not wanting to discuss his brother's relationship any further.
Eve walked over to Tiriel, who was standing nervously at the edge of the group. Dûrion had flown off earlier, woods being difficult for a giant eagle to travel in. Eve knew that if Tiriel called however, Dûrion would immediately come to her aid. She smiled warmly at the Elf, having no grudge against her, and Tiriel smiled back, looking relieved at being accepted by someone. Bilbo ran over, he found elves intriguing, and their stories fascinating.
"I don't think I said thank you." Eve told her, as she sat down next to the Elf. Tiriel glanced at her.
"I help others freely; do not think I hold you to a debt." Eve shook her head.
"No, I didn't think that, it never even crossed my mind." Eve admitted, grinning. Bilbo sat down on the other side of the Elf, looking up at her in awe.
"Lady Tiriel? Would you tell me a tale of the Elves?" he asked, his eyes alit with curiosity. Tiriel beamed at him, she loved speaking of her people, whether the dwarves liked it or not.
"Is there a particular story you wish me to tell you of Master Baggins?" Bilbo shook his head.
"I love them all, and would gladly listen to any." He answered, resting his chin on his hands. The Elf gave a tinkling laugh, capturing the attention of several nearby dwarves, and began to tell a tale.
"Ëarendil was a mariner
That tarried in Avernien;
He built a boat of timber felled
In Nimbrethil to journey in;
Her sails he wove of silver fair,
Of silver were her lanterns made,
Her prow was fashioned like a swan,
And light upon her banners laid.
In panoply of ancient kings,
In chained rings he armoured him;
His shining shield was scored with runes
To ward all wounds and harm from him;
His bow was made of dragon-horn,
His arrows shorn of ebony,
Of silver was his habergeon,
His scabbard of chalcedony;
His sword of steel was valiant,
Of adamant his helmet tall,
An eagle plume upon his crest,
Upon his breast an emerald.
Beneath the Moon and under star
He wandered far from northern strands,
Bewildered on enchanted ways
Beyond the days of mortal lands.
From gnashing of the Narrow Ice
Where shadow lies on frozen hills,
From nether heats nor burning waste
He turned in haste, and roving still
On starless waters far astray
At last he came to Night of Naught,
And passed, and never sight he saw
Of shining shore, nor light he sought.
The winds of wrath came driving him,
And blindly in the foam he fled
From west to east and errandless,
Unheralded he homeward sped.
There flying Elwing came to him,
And flame was in the darkness lit;
More bright than light of diamond
The fire upon her carcanet.
The Silmaril she bound on him
And crowned him with the living light
And dauntless then with burning brow
He turned his prow; and in the night
From Otherworld beyond the Sea
There strong and free a storm arose,
A wind of power in Tarmenel;
By paths that seldom mortal goes
His boat it bore with biting breath
As might of death across the grey
And long-forsaken seas distressed:
From east to west he passed away." Tiriel stopped as she noticed several of the dwarves watching her with disapproval. Bofur however, had come and joined them, being a storyteller himself. Fili and Kili had edged closer, and Ori was listening enraptured.
She bowed her head, remaining silent. Gandalf looked at her sadly, frowning at Thorin with censure.
"You tell of your own people, why can she not speak of hers?" he asked the dwarf king. Thorin ignored his comment, moving to another part of the glade with several of the dwarves. Ori's face fell when Tiriel said she would speak no more of Ëarendil, and he closed his notebook with a bang, making several of the dwarves around him jump. Bofur patted him on the back reassuringly.
"Don't worry about it laddie, I'm sure you'll hear the rest soon enough." Ori nodded, getting up to join his brothers. Eve lay down on the grass, looking up at the fragments of sky she could see through the leafy canopy. Her view was blocked however, by the face of Kili, who grinned at her mischievously. She watched him with apprehension, as he sat next to her. After eyeing him for a few moments, she looked back up at the sky. Kili seized his chance, and began to tickle her mercilessly.
She screamed in protest, catching the others attention, who watched the pair laughing. Even Tiriel found it hard to hide her smile. The one person who wasn't amused, was Thorin. He watched them, his face hardening, as he saw the friendship he had been so against, grow into something he was even more afraid of.
A/N Sorry about the lateness of this chapter, I honestly am!
I have an interview for college coming up, and my workload has doubled, leaving very little time for writing!
Poor Kili and Eve don't get their moment… yet! :P
I hope you enjoyed it, I really wanted to include the whole song of Ëarendil, but I thought it might get too long, and it was a good place to break it off!
If you are interested, go on my profile for some pictures of Eve's outfits and also a picture of the mysterious bracelet! Let me know what you think of them!
Please review, every review is like a nice cup of tea, and often helps with inspiration! ~Littlelots ^.^