Chapter 13

Thorin approached me later that day.

"Gandalf sent me to you. He said you knew about healing."

Curse that wizard! He knows I am trying to avoid Thorin!

I did not smile but I nodded. It was true Thorin had been hurt by Azog, almost as badly as I had. I now had a scar on both my side and my temple. Thorin had been hurt more or less on his face, but he still had the wounds from the teeth of the warg. I focused on the injuries on his face first. There were not deep and they would not leave scars. I did not speak and I hoped he would not, but I did not have the greatest of luck.

"Are you alright? After what happened last night?"

"I cannot say for certain. Though I am sure you already know."

He did not answer and I smiled small.

"I know you were outside the door. I told you once before you cannot sneak up on me." I said.

He smiled. I had never seen him smile so much.

"I can see that. And…Azog is yours to end." He said.

I stopped what I was doing and looked into his blue eyes.

"So long as I am there when you end his miserable life." He added.

For the first time, I gave him a genuine smile.

"Thank you…Thorin." I said.

He nodded and I finished helping him with his wounds.

"This is all I can do for now."

"Thank you."

I nodded and he left. I sighed and then went to find Gandalf. I found him sitting outside smoking his pipe, blowing smoke rings. I will not deny they were most excellent smoke rings.

"You could have healed him far better the I could." I said.

"I have no idea what is it you speak of Tawariell."

"Thorin told me you sent him to me for healing."

He looked at me before blowing another smoke ring.

"I did not. I have not yet spoken with Thorin today." He said.

I knew he was not lying. So Thorin had come to me of his own accord.

"He came to me on his own." I whispered.

"Apparently so, now run along. I am thinking."

I saw the twinkle in his eyes as he tried to appear stern. I smiled and shook my head, but did as he said and left him alone. I did not see Thorin for the rest of that day, not until nightfall. We all sat around the fire singing until Gandalf spoke up,

"It is time for bed. Your wits are sleepy!"

Off we all went to bed and I headed back towards my room, fully aware I was being followed. I purposely left the door open and then leaned against the wall as Thorin's shadow appeared in the doorway.

"Must I tell you a third time?" I asked.

He walked into the room and looked at me.

"May I speak with you?" He asked.

I slowly nodded and I sat down. I knew what this was about, and now was the time where I had to make the most difficult decision of my life.

"It is not secret I would think that I care for you," he began, "and despite my better judgment I lied when I told you Gandalf had sent me."

"I know."

"You….."

I smiled.

"I went to Gandalf in a bit of confusion. For I knew he could have healed you better then I have." I explained.

He looked slightly embarrassed and I wished to save him from it.

"I care for you as well Thorin. You have been a true friend to me and I am forever grateful." I whispered.

I knew this was not what he meant, but he smiled none the less.

"I also wished to tell you that you were right."

I laughed slightly.

"I am right about many things, but what do you speak of specifically?"

"All the times I doubted the hobbit…you were right to scold me." He whispered.

I placed my hand on his shoulder. He looked at me with a bit of surprise. I smiled softly.

"I will always care about you Thorin….but I cannot give you what you seek." I said.

I felt a lump in my throat from lying to him. He nodded and without another word he left. Silent tears fell from my face.

"This is for your own good Thorin Oakenshield. But I do care so much. I wish…..I wish we could have been together." I whispered.