NOTE: Hey guys been a long time lol. For those of you new to the story, basically I'm trying to create a love interest for Thorin. Frankly the hobbit lacks a little romance haha. For those who have already read this story I thank you for your continued patience. I know it's been a long haul. As you can see I have restructured the story a little bit to make longer chapters. There is a new one at the end. REMEMBER: any and all reviews are greatly appreciated.
I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS CREATED BY J.R. TOLKEIN
Nobody knew what to think. Orks weren't exactly known for their negotiating abilities. Their methods usually consist of kill and reap the spoils. Now their leader had an offer to make? A horrible feeling settled in Nola's stomach.
"What did you have in mind?" Norbar asked Azog tentatively.
"You have quite an operation going on here." Azog commented. "I've always found that dwarfs are exceptional minors. You hall in more gold than any mine in Middle-Earth."
"What's your point?" Norbar asked.
"Seems a shame that all that all that talent would go to waste…" Azog pondered.
"Can we skip over this nonsense to the part where you tell me what you want and I decide if I'm going to give it to you?" Norbar snapped.
"Careful dwarf-sum! My word is the only thing preserving your life at this moment." Azog reminded him. "If I give the signal every dwarf in this mine will be killed in a matter of minutes." Azog's army shifted anxiously around him, eager to bury their weapons into dwarf flesh.
"Apologies…" Norbar mumbled.
Azog smiled in satisfaction. "What I want is for you to continue running the mines. Run Moria how you wish, but I shall take up residency and half of your spoils belongs to me."
"That is ridiculous!" Norbar roared. "We will never give up our gold and serve the likes of you!"
"I wouldn't be too hasty in answering" Azog's smirk never left his face. "I could kill you all if I wished and you know it. You are defeated Norbar! The only reason to keep you alive is slave labor. And with you advocating our position amongst the dwarfs, we could become quite successful together."
Norbar pursed his lips and lowered his chin, contemplating his options.
"I wouldn't think for too long." Azog said mockingly. "Let's not forget, battles still rage deep within the mine. Your kin is being slain as we speak."
Nola couldn't believe what was unfolding around her. Azog was vile, forcing the dwarfs to serve him was the worst he could possibly do and she was unsure her father's pride could accept the offer. She prayed that he would remember all the innocent lives he was responsible for. Sure the deal Azog offered him was humiliating, but it was their only option.
With a great sigh, Norbar met Azog in the eyes and said "Agreed."
…
The next few months were hell. The orks had no problems making themselves at home and in no time at all the halls of Moria became a dumping ground for trash and filth. They terrorized the dwarfs and harassed everyone, leaving not a single moment of piece.
Between Azog's share and the quota to be delivered to Erebor, Moria barely dug up enough to survive. Everyone had to make due with food rations and it was a battle to make sure the city didn't starve. But it wasn't like Nola could eat anyway with the company she had at the dinner table.
If the elves thought dwarfs were bad well, even by dwarf standards the orks were just nasty! They fought over every scrap of food and half the morsels that attempted the journey to their mouths went on the floor covered in foul smelling slime. And then there was Azog, who would constantly stare at her. She didn't like the look in his eyes.
Of course no communication with the outside world was allowed without the orks filtering it all. But one day, news did come and it was of the worst sort. It was the kind of news that left the orks overjoyed and Azog forced Norbar to prepare a great feast.
"Rejoice my brothers! For today great news has come to us! Erebor has fallen!" Azog shouted.
The other orks threw up their hands making as much noise as they possible could. Nola, who had not yet heard the news, looked towards her father in shock.
"Smaug, the mighty dragon, has defeated the dwarfs of the Lonely Mountain!" He continued. "They are now reduced to wondering gypsies, and the Ork has become the mightiest race of all! It is now us who control the mine and the wealth of this world!"
Nola couldn't bear to hear anymore and ran from the hall. Azog had said that the dwarfs were cast out of Erebor, so did that mean there was still a chance Thorin was alive?
"No…" Nola thought to herself. "He would have died fighting for his home... It's not fair! I didn't even get to see him again!" She made it to her chambers, threw herself on her bed and wept.
…
When she emerged the next morning, the atmosphere of the mines had changed. Orks were rushing about, arguing and speaking quickly, while there was not a dwarf in sight. One of them spotted her, gestured to his companion and together, they made a beeline through the crowd and grabbed her.
"Unhand me!" She ordered with as much force as she could muster. "My father is the lord of Moria and if you don't let me go this instant I will have your head."
They stopped but didn't let her go.
"If she's Norbar's daughter, should we bring her to the great hall with him and her brother?" asked the first ork.
"But that's the opposite way!" the other complained. "We'll have to go all the way back!"
"Do you want Azog to chop our heads off, or shall I do it for you?"
They turned sharply and headed back down the corridor, dragging Nola along with them. When they arrived, the doors were opened then shut tightly again after they threw Nola in. After she regained her footing, Nola ran towards her brother.
"Nalar, what's happening?!"
"We received a messenger this morning telling us that the dwarfs who survived the attack on Erebor are heading this way for sanctuary." He explained. "They have no idea the orks have taken up residency and Azog is planning to attack them when they arrive!"
"We have to warn them." Nola said desperately.
"The orks have taken the majority of our people and shut them in the mine." He father piped in. "everyone else is locked in here with us."
"There must be a way! When will they arrive?"
"The messenger said this afternoon…I'm sorry Nola but we've got to be realistic." Norbar replied stoically. "Our only hope now is that Thrór is prepared for a surprise attack."
They all stood in silence for a moment.
"Nola, the chair!" Nalar screamed suddenly.
Nola looked back at her brother. "Of course!"
They both dash to the throne sitting against the back wall of the room. They began to rip the chair from the wall.
"What in Durin's name are you two doing?!" Norbar cried.
"Behind your chair is a small tunnel that leads to a secret corridor." Nola explained as she and Nalar continued to pull of the chair. "That corridor leads to a small gate that can only be opened with a secret password. If I can sneak out, I might be able to warn Thrór before he gets too close to the mountain."
"Wait, how did you even know that was there?"
"We used it to sneak in and watch the council meetings or go hunting at night." Said Nalar panting. "Nola found it that time she tried to hide behind the curtains."
With a loud bang, the chair finally broke fee. All the dwarfs looked at the hall entrance, waiting to see if the orks would burst in.
"Must all be outside already." One of them whispered when no one came.
Nola and Nalar returned their attention to the tunnel. It was smaller than they remembered. Just by looking at it they could tell that no one was going to fit through, except maybe Nola.
"You're not going alone." Nalar stated immediately.
"Nalar, we don't have a choice. Someone has got to warn them." She replied.
Nodding his head slowly, he reached out to give her a hug. "Just be careful and don't get yourself killed."
"I'll try" she promised.
Norbar gave her a nod and with that, Nola got down and began to crawl back down through old memories, towards new ones that she hopped wouldn't destroy her.