Chapter 19

All through the night Thorin had a fever. I knew not what was wrong with him. When he finally opened his eyes it was only a little.

"Tawariell."

"Yes I am here. I will not leave."

"No….you must…go."

"Sedho! Do not speak. Thorin hold onto my voice." I said.

He nodded, but it was weak. I heard a noise and the guard wandered off. Then I heard a small voice at the keyhole.

"Miss Tawariell? Are you alright?" He asked.

"I am alright! But Thorin needs help! I know not if I have anything to help." I whispered.

"I will see what I can do. I may be a burglar yet."

I smiled and then he stopped speaking. I turned my attention back to Thorin.

"Thorin can you hear me?" I asked.

"Aye I can hear you."

"Alright good. I need you to stay awake."

"I will try…."

I gently turned his face to mine.

"No…..no trying….you stay awake. Our burglar is going to help you." I whispered.

"Tawariell promise me something."

"You have but to name it."

He took my hand and looked at me seriously.

"If I do not make it out of this wretched forest….take care of Fili and Kili."

"I cannot promise you this. You WILL make it out. You WILL reclaim Erebor and you WILL be King Under the Mountain. This is my promise to you."

I leaned forward and gently pressed my lips to his. A bold move but I did not care anymore. I pulled back and he opened his eyes and looked at me.

"You know not how long I wished to do that to you." He whispered.

I smiled and he sat up, with my help, and took both my hands in his. He did not speak, for there was no need. I lightly touched his face. I twirled his hair with my finger and then leaned forward so my forehead was against his.

Thorin grew worse through the night. His breathing was labored and I hoped Bilbo would return at any moment. He did return only to bring news that the rest of the dwarves had been captured and that there was nothing he could find. It was for this reason I called upon Legolas.

"He has been feverish for the past 3 days. Whatever it is he need I require it now more then ever." I said.

"I will gather what I can. Fear not mellon nin I shall not be long away."

He sped off and Thorin opened his eyes slightly.

"Thorin can you hear me?"

He nodded weakly. I kept my hand in his and stroked it gently. I began to sing a song that Sirewen would sing to me when I was ill or upset.

Snow-white! Snow-white! O Lady clear!

O Queen beyond the Western Seas!

O Light to us that wander here

Amid the world of woven trees!

Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!

Clear are thy eyes and bright thy breath!

Snow-white! Snow-white! We sing to thee

In a far land beyond the Sea.

O stars that in the Sunless Year

With shining hand by her were sown,

In windy fields now bright and clear

We see your silver blossom blown!

O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!

We still remember, we who dwell

In this far land beneath the trees,

Thy starlight on Western Seas.

"I know it is of the elves but Sirewen, the woman who raised me, she would sing me this song whenever I was upset or ill." I whispered.

"Your voice….it is beautiful. Clear and soft." He murmured.

I smiled.

"Shhh-hhh! You must rest. You will need your strength." I said softly.

"You recall what I asked you? To leave?"

"Thorin…"

"Do not leave me." He whispered.

I could believe what I heard. A smile came to my face and I felt tears of joy in my eyes.

"Gweston. I promise. You may not like this but I have a friend here. You recall the friend I spoke of, the one who taught me to speak in the common tongue?"

"Aye."

"His name is Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil King of Mirkwood. He is not his father, and though I am still quite angered by Thranduil's actions and treatment of you he is not cruel. Though I shall not easily forgive him. Legolas went to find something that could help me heal you. I trust him and I know he shall be back soon." I whispered.

"The Halfling failed?" he inquired.

"No of course not. You must remember Thorin that he knows little of the healing arts and before now has never left his home. However he has brought valuable information. The others are prisoners here as well, though they are all separated and in different parts of the dungeon." I explained.

"It would appear Gandalf was right once again. Master Baggins has proved to be more then he appears. I shall once more admit I was wrong."

"You were not wrong, well not entirely. I know your trust is a difficult thing to earn."

"I know not why…I trusted you immediately." He whispered.

My heart felt warm. I smiled and the Legolas came rushing back. With the herbs he brought me I was able to heal Thorin. It was a few more days before he regained all his strength, but he lived. This was all that mattered to me. Our only problem now….was escaping.