Let me know how you feel about this so far. Not sure I will continue on if nobody likes it. Enjoy.
I only own my character. Anything you recognize is not mine.
Morning comes and I awake to a knock on my door. I get out of bed, wrap a robe around my night clothes and answer the door.
"Good morning Miss." A new handmaiden bows her head in respect.
"Good morning. Please, come in." I say and move out of her way so she can enter my room.
"Have you bathed?" She asks me and I shake my head no.
"Come." She tells me and takes me to the bathing chamber. She has a bath drawn for me and then helps me wash my hair. She uses nice smelling oils and I inhale deeply to try to memorize what the smell is.
After the morning ritual of bathing, dressing and having my hair done I go to breakfast.
I am one of the first to arrive. I take my seat and make conversation with Lady Dis as she is the closest person to me.
"The outfit we had started for you should be done by as early as tomorrow. Are you excited?" Lady Dis asks me and I smile.
"Of course. I can't wait to see how I look. You are a master of fashion. I am sure I will look magnificent." I lightly tease and we both fall into giggles.
"Something amusing I missed?" Thorin asks and I sober up while Dis just gives her brother a look.
"Perhaps. Good morning." I greet with a pleasant smile. He returns it and takes his seat.
"Good morning." He tells me from his spot a few chairs down.
And then the men, King Thror, Thrain and my father enter. When they sit we begin to eat.
After breakfast I go to my father before he is pulled away by the king and his son.
"Father, a moment." I say as I approach him.
"Yes, Alvina?" He asks.
"I was hoping I would be able to go to Dale today. I want to look around and maybe buy a few things for mother." I tell him and he smiles. He reaches into his coin satchel and gives me some coin.
"Take someone with you. I do not want you traveling around alone. Shall I find someone for you?" He asks but I don't get a chance to answer.
"I am doing nothing today. It would be my pleasure to ensure her safety." Thorin says and both my father and mine eyes go to him.
"Thank you, Prince Thorin. That would be most appreciated." Father says, answering for me. Thorin bows his head and then comes to me.
"Are you prepared to leave?" He asks and I nod.
"I am." I answer as well.
"Come." He tells me and I grab his arm like before and he escorts me to the front gates. Dale is a short ride away so we will be taking horses.
At the stables they have many ponies but only a couple real horses.
"Have you ridden before?" Thorin asks me.
"I have." I let him know. He nods to acknowledge my answer and goes off to find his steed. I take my time. I go up to each horse but none seem too eager to be my ride. I then go over to the larger ponies. One catches my eye and we instantly have a connection.
"Well hello there. Would you like to be my ride today?" I ask it and pet him. He neighs delightfully and I laugh with joy.
"A fine choice. Her name is Floda. Gentle. Kind." Thorin says as he leads his pony over. A grey and brown one. Floda is white and brown. Mostly brown.
"Lead the way." I say as I get out Floda and follow him out of the stable. We then mount our rides and begin our short trek to Dale.
The town is bustling and thriving. Kids run around playing while the adults shop, work and enjoy watching the children.
"Was there anything you wanted to do?" Thorin asks and I nod as I begin to walk along the road lined with stalls of people selling goods. Thorin follows silently but I feel his eyes on me the whole time.
A little while later and I am indecisive.
"Thorin. Would you mind helping me with this?" I ask and he is beside me instantly.
"What is it you need?" His rumbling voice asks.
"I want to get a second opinion. Purple or green?" I ask as I hold up two necklaces, one with a purple gem and the other with a deep green one.
"Is this for you?" He asks but I shake my head.
"My mother." I tell him and he seems to think on this answer before asking another question.
"What is her favorite color?" He inquires.
"Purple. But most of her gowns would go better with the green." I tell him and he things again.
"Get them both." He answers finally and I just stare at him.
"I have enough for one. If I could afford both I would." I say honestly and he seems to be upset by this answer.
"I apologize. I did not mean to sound so insensitive to your needs." He says and now I look at him. Really look.
"I was not offended but now I am not so sure. Are you implying that my situation is that I am poor?" I ask now ignoring the necklaces.
"No, Miss Tuskmore. I merely thought you took my comment as such." He defends.
"Hmmm. A miscommunication then. So tell me. Which one?" I ask dropping the subject. He seems surprised by this.
"You are not angry?" He asks.
"Should I be? It was a mistake. I understand." I say and then hold up the two necklaces up before his eyes.
"Which one?" I emphasize.
"Purple. If she looks anything like you it will be a perfect compliment to her." He says and I blush. I hide it by turning around to face the merchant.
"The purple one." I say and watch as the merchant places it in a cloth bag and I had over the coins before getting the necklace. I thank the merchant and Thorin and I begin walking again.
It is then that I see it. A hair pin of green and blue gems that shimmer like nothing I have ever seen before. It is truly stunning.
"Dwarven work. Who made this?" Thorin asks as he notices what I am looking at. He directed the question to the merchant.
"The blacksmith's wife. Quite an eye for such things." The merchant winks.
"It is beautiful." I murmur.
"How much?" I ask, dreading the answer.
"4 gold. But for a pretty lady like yourself, 3 gold." The merchant winks at me and I give a soft but disappointed smile.
"Oh. Well thank you. My compliments to the wife. It is truly exquisite." I say and then walk off. Thorin follows behind me.
"How about lunch? I believe I have enough left for that." I say with a smile back on my face.
"I know a place. Follow me." Thorin says with confidence and I can't help but follow.
We arrive at a little shop on the edge of town that is not very busy.
When we enter Thorin is greeted immediately.
"Prince Thorin! Welcome back. It has been too long since you last came. And who is this beautiful young lady with you? New wife?" The man running the shop winks at me and I blush.
"A visitor to the mountain. I am showing her around Dale while her father speaks with King Thror." Thorin explains and the man laughs.
"I see. My mistake. Please sit." The man motions towards the plethora of available seating and Thorin goes and picks a place. I sit across from him at the table.
"So what is so special about this place?" I ask with an interested gaze.
"They have the best cake in the land. And the food is decent too." Thorin says as the man comes to our table.
"Decent? I am hurt. But what he says about the cake is true." Another wink sent in my direction and I laugh.
"I will have the usual. Alvina?" Thorin now directs his attention to me.
"The chef's specialty." I say and the man smiles with glee and all but runs to the kitchens. Thorin regards me curiously.
"You trust that you will like it?" He asks.
"I believe it will be the best item in the entire place. If the cook enjoys making it the flavor will show it." I say wisely and Thorin regards me again.
"Fair enough." He concedes after a bit.
When the food comes I see his plate then mine. I am honestly not sure what it is but I happily try it.
I know Thorin is watching me for my reaction. I smile in reaction to the taste.
"That is delicious." I say in delight. Thorin bows his head and then takes a bite of his food. He seems to like it well enough. We eat in silence as talking during a meal can be seen as rude or a comment on the chefs meal.
When we finish Thorin is gracious and pays for both our meals and dessert. The cake was delicious.
"You really don't have to." I persist as he all but drags me out of the establishment.
"It is my pleasure. Now let it go." He demands as we exit the eatery and sunlight hits us.
I take his arm like all the other times and we begin to walk again.
"I love this city. Do you come much? I wish I could more often." I confide with a small smile on my face as we pass citizens of the busy city.
"I admit I do not come but once or twice a year." Thorin says and I frown.
"Why?" I ask, curiousness getting the best of me.
"I prefer my home to any other." He tells me with pride lacing his voice. I can't help but smile at this.
"I can see why. It is truly beautiful." I say and he gives me a sidelong glance.
"Indeed." He agrees and we move on down the road.
It is nearing evening.
"I think it would be best we take our leave now. We will miss dinner but I will have some food sent to your room." Thorin says as we walk back towards the stables where our mounts are.
"Thank you. That is very kind of you." I thank with gratitude.
"Here." He suddenly offers his help to get me on my pony. I smile and accept it.
With me on my pony he gets on his and we ride back to his home in the mountain.
We arrive back at the front gates and they are opened immediately. We hop off our ponies and they are taken by a guard to be housed in the stables while Thorin and I enter the mountain once more.
"Alvina!" My father's voice booms and I flinch in reaction. He marches up to me with anger on his face. Father completely ignores Thorin's presence.
"Father." I greet but am interrupted by his temper.
"Where have you been? I thought you would have been back before dark. Do you know how worried I was?" Father yells, face becoming red.
"I am sorry father. Thorin and I-"
"It is my fault, Estmund Tuskmore. I fear I kept her a bit longer than necessary. My apologies. The fault lies entirely with me." Thorin steps up and my shock must show because Thorin merely smirks at me.
My father, on the other hand, looks to Thorin with a bit of shock and disbelief on his face.
"Is this true?" Father asks me but keeps his eyes on Thorin.
"Father-" I am cut off once again.
"It is." Thorin says with confidence.
Silence as it seems father and Thorin have a staring contest.
"Go to your room, Alvina. You will have to eat in the morning. You missed supper tonight." Father tells me and I bow my head in acceptance. His voice was even. He is mad at my arrival time but can not be mad at our host's grandson.
I bow my head in acknowledgment that I heard him but turn to Thorin first.
"Thank you for taking me to Dale. I had an amazing day." I smile and Thorin gives me a small smile in return.
"It was my genuine pleasure." He says and bows slightly to me. Oh.. Okay then. That is… not the usual goodbye but I suppose he must have really enjoyed it. I take my leave of the two men and go to my rooms.
My stomach growls as I climb into bed and remember that I indeed did miss dinner. Shame.
As I curl up under the covers a knock sounds at my door. I get out of bed and open the door a crack. A dwarf with a tray of food stands there.
"Thorin said to have this delivered. I will have someone collect the tray in the morning. Good night, my lady." The dwarf man tells me before bowing his head and leaving me with the tray of food that makes my mouth water.
I close the door with my foot and all but run to my bed. I place the tray down and sit cross legged in the bed beside it.
I pick up some meat and cheese and take a bite of each. The flavor mingles in my mouth and I hum in enjoyment. I look down to grab a piece of fruit when I see a note on the tray.
Curious.
I pick it up and unfold it.
I hope I was able to spare you the wrath of your father. And I hope this note makes it to you with food. My apologies for keeping you out late but I find I enjoyed your company too much to have it end so soon.
I have something for you. I will find you tomorrow.
Sleep well.
Thorin.
Thorin enjoyed spending the day with me? And here I thought he might have been just putting up with me. And he has something for me? When did he get the time to buy or make something? Perhaps it is but another note. I eat and move the tray to the nearby table before falling asleep to ideas of what Thorin might have for me.
