Chapter 2: The debt that will be paid
Authors note: Wow! So many follows! Never had that many for one chapter before in my life. Thank you all so much for everything so far! This chapter should be better for you all. Hope you like it. Enjoy!
That night after sunset it grew dark rather rapidly in the Dwarven halls. The Dwarves relied on torches and candle light to allow them to see where they were going throughout the dark tunnels. The Dwarven guards assembled on the lookout point and kept a watchful eye out as they did every night. The city lights from Dale illuminated the night as many lanterns, torches and the odd candle light in each home contributed to the brightness of the city. The king's halls were practically deserted in the pitch black darkness, the occasional Dwarf guard would pop in an out as his routine inspection but none of the royalty or noble Dwarves remained in there. King Thror had locked himself in his gold room making sure no one would disturb him. He never used to do this, but like Thorin and many others were now beginning to believe, their king's mind was failing due to his obsession with gold.
Deep below the halls of the king stood the dungeon. A murky and disgusting place it was. Grime and filth had gathered all over the stone walls, making it revolting to touch. The dungeons were lit by various torches as the long dark block of cells seemed to go on endlessly into the black darkness. Down in the shadows of the never-ending dungeon there sat a prisoner in one single cell. Shivering, she wrapped her arms around herself in an attempt to keep herself warm, but it didn't work. The prisoner sat slumped on the ground leaning against the side of the wall in dismay. To think this was to be her last night of life, and she would spend it in this grotty hole. Courtesy of king Thror of course. But even though this dampened her spirits, she still embraced death and did not fear her execution. She hadn't feared death in a long time. Not since her father died anyway.
Thobera glared solemnly at the wall. Her mind kept constantly replaying the events which occurred earlier that day in the halls of the king. Every time the image of Thror appeared in her mind her teeth clenched angrily and her hands formed into fists. She was not surprised in the slightest that he had sentenced her to death, nor did she expect anything less from him. She had not only touched his pride, but twisted it like soggy pasta, she had insulted him in every way possible and this was the only comfort she could take with her to the afterlife. But she did not weep for her newfound loss of life. What had been in her life so far hadn't been the best. Losing her mother as a baby her father was left by himself to take care of his daughter and run the family herbal stall. And when he himself died, that was when things hit rock bottom. Thobera was left to run the herbal stall in Dale by herself, left poor and obscure, she was often an easy target for the noble obnoxious Dwarves to tease for her misfortune. She was not wealthy, and she did not consider herself to be a pretty female as Dwarf women went anyway. She often spoke her mind and reacted without thinking of the consequences. And these were the same traits that was about to get her head put on the chopping block tomorrow morning.
Then she remembered why she stole in the first place. A simple blacksmith and his family of three sons and two daughters were struggling to afford the simple things such as food, medical supplies and clothes. They had approached her when the youngest of the siblings was suffering from a nasty bug, for they could not afford the medical treatment to save him. Thobera had in fact offered her services freely and expected no reward. This was when her eyes opened to the suffering all around her. Many other families, both Dwarven and Men, were suffering at the negligence from their 'fair' king. Thobera, rebellious as always, decided to make a stand for the Dwarves who had come to her for help and dared to do something she almost achieved. If it wasn't for that damned guard who had witnessed her come out of the king's chambers with a handful of gold as he made his rounds, she would have got away and been able to help the families in poverty. But instead she was instantly taken to the dungeons and then placed in front of her king to explain her actions against him. It made her heart melt to know she would never be able to see or even apologise to the families she had promised so much and let them down.
Her attentions were raised when an unexpected loud grunt from outside the cell ushered her undivided attention to be fixed upon the person who let off the foul noise. Thobera turned her head dully and her drawn green eyes fixed upon a taller figure carrying a metal tray of what appeared to be slop from a pig's trough, or something that barely resembled edible food. He slammed the tray on the floor and used his large heavy boot to kick it through the small gap underneath the steel bars of the cell.
"Dinner time, scum!" He said distastefully with a rather croaky voice. Thobera stared at the tray in utter disgust and simply used her weak arm to shove it as far as it would go across the cell. If this was to be her last meal, then she would rather starve. The Dwarf guard stomped away, his boots echoing down the long lifeless dungeon, and went to regain his position at the entrance.
Thobera placed a hand behind her head and felt through her grimy tangled hair until she felt her bare flesh then began to touch her aching neck trying to rub it gently in an attempt to ease the pain. Her hand then flew forward and lay limp on the ground along with the other. Limp and lifeless he entire body inwardly shook, half cold yet half exhausted. She hadn't had a decent nights sleep in days. There was no way of getting comfortable in this dreary cell. For her gracious king had ensured that the prisoners would suffer as much as possible before their punishment, no matter have severe, would come to an end. She sat in silence dwelling on the very thought of death, for that was the only thing she had to look forward to now. To put an end to her miserable, worthless life.
A deafening bang echoed throughout the dungeon which caused Thobera to bolt upright from her slumped position against the wall. She pressed her cheeks against the icy cold steel bars and wrapped both hands around them tightly as she gazed down the block of cells to see what was going on. She could barely make out the Dwarven guard, the very same one who had not long ago given her that slop for her dinner. He held a heavy weapon, obviously an axe, at the ready as he scrambled out of the dungeon exit as fast as his heavy boots could take him. Thobera listened in surprise as his heavy footsteps suddenly came to an unexpected stop; this silence was soon followed by a piercing thud. As Thobera could make it out, it sounded as if the guard had been… knocked out.
Alarm bells rang throughout her mind as a hooded figure appeared to enter the entrance of the dungeon. Thobera's eyes widened as that same figure headed towards her cell. As the figure sprinted closer and closer towards her cell she could pick up more distinct features about the Dwarf. He was in fact a male, his short beard hanging out of his cloak and the way he moved seemed to be rather elegant and in a way, rather majestic. Thobera suddenly released her grip from the bars and stepped back abruptly as the figure stood before her. And when he took of his cloak hood to reveal his true identity to her, she couldn't help but let out a gasp of utter disbelief.
The figure, now lifting his hood to reveal the distinct face of young prince Thorin son of Thrain, took the keys he had taken from the unconscious guard and quickly scanned through them to find the right one to unlock the cell. And as he spoke, his voice sent strange shivers down her spine.
"We don't have much time," He said finally finding the right key and placing it into the lock. Thobera stood, eyes widened and mouth agape in shock as the prince opened the cell barrier.
"Prince Thorin?" She uttered finally finding strength to force the words out of her mouth "what in the depths of Erebor are you doing?"
"Saving your head," he then grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the cell "now come on, it won't be long before the guards sound the alarm."
Both Dwarves jolted towards the exit. It took Thobera a lot of strength to run considering she was rather weak from famishment and exhaustion. Not to mention Thorin ran at an astonishing rate for a Dwarf, it took most of her energy up to keep up with him. Making their way to the main gate both Dwarves were weary, for there were many guards about there, and if but one of them saw them, she would not be the only one to have no head.
But what was she doing? She had no intention of escaping, and now she was finding herself doing exactly that. And Thorin prince of Erebor of all people helping the likes of her? Why? What was he doing this for? She insulted his grandfather, challenged their right to rule Erebor and showed no respect towards him or any of the noble Dwarves. Also, she was a petty commoner with nothing spectacular to show for herself, and she was not bothered about dying. But now she found herself running, with the prince of Erebor of all people, to try and escape before the guards were on alert and would try and get to her.
Thorin abruptly stopped and put his arm out ushering Thobera to do the same. He dragged her by the arm inside a small gap where the two of them hid as the sounds of footsteps from passing guards grew louder. Thorin gazed down at the panting Dwarf woman, and she returned his gaze. But while his was just a look of curiosity, hers was a look of astonishment. But before either of them could speak to the other, the Dwarven guards had disappeared down the hallways and left them to continue their rush to allow Thobera to make her daring escape.
But what was he doing exactly? It completely blew Thobera's mind just to think of the matter. The grandson of the very same man who had just sentenced her to die was now saving her sorry behind, risking not only her life but his own. Why? Why her? She had so many questions but so little time to ask them. But all she knew was that, one moment she was sat in her cell dwelling on the constant thought of her execution, and now she was being given a chance of freedom to escape that fate. And she would've understood it if it were one of the Dwarves she had tried to protect, but not the heir to the throne. He was there as she was brought before king Thror and insulted his entire family, and now he was saving her? What exactly was going through his mind to get him to commit such a risk?
Thobera's questions were brought to a sudden halt as her body was shifted back into the dreaded reality when the ear-wrenching alarm bells rang throughout the halls. Thorin halted and gazed behind him before continuing over to Thobera who had now ran ahead of him. He grabbed her arms and stared at her face as he spoke with the most sincere tone she had ever heard in her entire life.
"They must've discovered the guard in the dungeon," he said "the guards are now aware of your escape, stay close to me and be careful. Or it may cost us both of our heads."
Thobera nodded and the pair continued to sprint throughout the hallways of the mountain. Thorin remained in front stopping her from going any further every time the Dwarven guards rushed past all alerting one another of a prisoner escape. Thorin put up his cloak hood and guided the Dwarf woman through a secret tunnel leading out toward the main gate. So far, they had both not been seen but one wrong move and it could all go drastically wrong. Thobera had learned from this mistake before.
"Search everywhere!" Called one of the Dwarven guards from down the hall. As three of them marched down the hallway Thorin and Thobera ducked behind an old statue making sure they could not be seen by the passing guards. "Don't let the Dwarf woman escape, use extreme force if necessary."
"Yes sir," came a reply from another Dwarf guard rushing off while the other two stayed where they were.
"Have you alerted Lord Balin of the prisoner's escape?" The older Dwarven guard asked demandingly.
"He is on the lookout point as we speak sir," the younger guard replied standing to attention to his superior.
"Make sure there are guards surrounding the main gate," the older guard ordered "if she plans on escaping, then she will have to get through Thror's finest before she can ever think of stepping one filthy foot outside of Erebor."
"Yes sir," then the other guard rushed off to relay the orders to the other Dwarves. Soon the older guard rushed off in the other direction to start barking orders at the other guards to seal off the entrance to the second gate.
Thorin and Thobera waited a while for the commotion to die down. Both crouched hidden behind the statue breathing heavily and loudly. Thorin glanced down at Thobera and wished to enquire on how she was much to his own surprise by her reply.
"Are you alright?" He asked politely, his eyes widened when she shot him a half glare half relieved expression and swiftly replied.
"What in the name of Middle-Earth are you doing?" She hissed more fiercely than she intended. "Why are you risking everything to save me?"
"Because, unlike the majority, there are few of us who agree with what you stated earlier today, myself and Lord Balin being prime examples." He replied calmly. Thobera's eyes widened in surprise at this.
"But I insulted your family's right to rule," She stammered "you should be rejoicing over my execution, not trying to prevent it."
"Unlike my father and grandfather I do not pride myself in precious treasures," he replied then keeping his attentions fixed on the voices above before glancing back at her "I pride myself in protecting the people, and as I understand from your own words and experience, we haven't done a good job of late."
Thobera rolled her eyes and muttered to herself "you can say that again." She was then silenced by Thorin who swiftly stood from behind the stone statue offering his hand for Thobera to be lifted up. She declined it of course. A prime example of Dwarf stubbornness.
"We'll take the secret exit," Thorin explained motioning her to go through a tiny gap that led to a narrow pathway "the Dwarf guards will not have the idea to look down there for you considering you barely know this place."
"Yes, I can see why," Thobera added as they ran down the pathway, she then noticed the pathway leading to a small gap in the main wall. There was no way she would've figured that out if she was not with Thorin. It was too narrow and not obvious enough for the average escapee who would, in a state of panic, usually head towards the main gate, only to be stopped by the fleet of Dwarven guards who stood ready to pounce upon the unfortunate prisoner. But Thobera was no ordinary escaping convict. Despite her intention to not even try and escape, she still found herself doing what many others had tried but failed to do. Make it out of Erebor alive that is. But no, this time was completely different. Mainly because she had the help of a noble prince, who knew these tunnels like the back of his hand, to help her make it out with her head still attached to her body.
Meanwhile on the lookout point stood Lord Balin, trying to keep a calm head as always in the situation as many Dwarves scuttled about him trying to search for the escaped convict. Balin, much to his own secrecy of course, already knew who had helped the prisoner to escape and he also knew where they were headed, and it was not the main entrance. And if Balin were not a respectable Dwarf who had a deep consideration and caring for the one who had helped her escape, he would've ordered the guards to search the secret tunnel leading out to beyond the main gate. But he did not do this; instead he did as the guards expected him to do and remained on the lookout point watching below the main gate. Balin hoped for the life of him that Thorin would be careful, and inwardly cursed himself for giving him the ludicrous idea in the first place. He knew what Thorin was like, rebellious, strong minded and rather arrogant at times. He knew he should have kept his big mouth shut instead of giving the young prince ideas which could endanger himself. But Balin was usually like this, he often gave advice to others which he later regretted. Even towards his own brother Dwalin, who he had many times given him the wrong kind of advice. He was surprisingly calm about this entire situation and about his inward cursing, but it wasn't until a specific person turned up that Balin began to panic.
"Balin, what is the meaning of all this?" A voice barked from the steps of the lookout point. Balin turned his gaze in the direction of the voice only to jump back in surprise. King Thror himself had come to see what the commotion was about, even though he should've known himself at this point in time.
"The prisoner has escaped," Balin explained calmly privately grimacing to himself over the king's sudden change of expression.
"WHAT?!" He roared causing many of the Dwarven guards, including Balin himself, to jump at the sudden uproar from the king "how did this happen?"
"We suspect an accomplice my king," Balin continued his voice beginning to get shaky as he forced the words out of his own mouth "we found the dungeon guard knocked out outside the entrance to the dungeon."
"Well send out your finest Dwarves and capture them both!" Thror commanded "use whatever force necessary. Just bring me their heads!"
"Yes your highness," Balin bowed before the king then ordering three other guards to join him on his hunt for the prisoner. They swiftly followed him down the stairs and through the tunnels where the other Dwarf guards had now left. He could but only hope he didn't run into the prisoner unexpectedly, more for Thorin's sake than the Dwarf woman's.
Thorin had led her through the dark and narrow tunnel which had now led them to the secret exit out of Erebor. This tunnel had obviously been built in case of dire situations, and they would need to be for the size. Or they may have been an ancient entrance into the mountain that no one had used for centuries. Once the two of them had reached the gate, they kept their wits about them as the distant sounds of voices could be heard throughout the quiet night. Thobera had sat down for a rest before her final run to escape. This was the point where she would have to thank the bold prince for doing this for her. It made her cringe at the very thought. Not only had she a deep distaste for his grandfather, but now she was going to thank his grandson for helping her escape. What did she do to deserve all of this?
Thobera, crashing against the wall in exhaustion, panted heavily from all the constant running. Her adrenaline had all but vanished and she had no idea on how she'd be able to steer clear from searching guards nearby let alone make her way out of the kingdom within the next day or so. Thorin noticed her breath catching up to her and opened up his cloak revealing a few supplies he had managed to smuggle through for her. He dug out a small brown drink canteen full to the brim with water, a folded cloak and various pieces of food items he had managed to get his hands on. Her head faced down as her hands placed themselves on her legs, she breathed loudly to try and gain her back the energy she had lost during the sprint from the dungeon to here, she was so sidetracked that she barely noticed he was still there.
"Here," his voice broke in the air quietly causing her to look up only to find him passing her the items he had concealed within his cloak all of that time.
Thobera glanced down at the various items as he passed them from his arms to hers and then gazed up at him with a sincere look fixed firmly on her face "Why are you doing this?"
"I already said," Thorin began "I do not agree with my grandfather's judgement on you and I believe your actions were in the public's best interest."
"But why not let me die? Or was your guilty conscience persuading you to risk your own life to spare a petty commoner?"
"Do you ever stop asking questions?" Thorin snapped rather abruptly taking her aback "and what I gather from your attitude towards my grandfather earlier, you are anything but 'petty'. And as for the conscience, I decided to trust my instincts and do as my heart tells me. You did what very few have the nerve to do. You defied your king to protect those you care about, and for that I deeply respect you and believe you deserve a second chance somewhere else."
"And for that I thank you with all of my heart," Thobera bowed her head slightly "but I still do not understand how someone like you could help someone like me."
"Because we are alike you and I," Thorin replied earning a scoff from Thobera who stifled back laughter from this comment.
"Alike? We are nothing alike, Thorin son of Thrain. You are a noble prince in the great line of Durin, while I am a daughter of a common herbalist. I have no money, no prospects, no beauty to win the heart of a man, and no hopes and ambitions to live up to."
"You sell yourself short Thobera, daughter of Dulin," Thorin reached out his hand and placed it on her weak shoulder encouragingly. Thobera's gaze down where his hand had positioned itself eyes narrowed in scepticism as he continued "from what I know of you, you are a fiery woman who is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. You bow to no one and even though you do not like to show it, have a heavy heart for those who you love and care for."
Thobera's gaze trailed off into the distance as she took in a deep breath of air before replying "You know, at first I believed you saved me because your pity got the better of you because I am a woman. But I was wrong. You did it because you really do care about these people. You want to prove yourself a fair a just prince by defying your grandfather's orders by following your own judgement's on a prisoner convicted to death. Your act of pity is just demonstrating on how much of a noble king you will become. For no king should be cruel hearted and should show some humility. I may have an undying hatred for your grandfather prince Thorin, but my opinion of you has changed greatly."
"As has my opinion of you," Thorin nodded releasing his grip from her shoulder and headed over to the tiny gap in the wall, of which was in fact Thobera's chance of freedom. "And so we must say farewell."
"No matter what or how long it takes your highness," Thobera began as she bowed before the prince, for the first time showing her upmost respect for someone in the line of Durin "I will repay you for this noble debt."
Thorin smiled slightly touched at the change of heart by this stubborn Dwarf woman. He hadn't changed her opinion of his grandfather but he had proved to her that not all in the line of Durin were as heartless as his grandfather had become of late. Thobera had showed no respect for anyone until now. He knew there was still so much to this woman that he did not know, but he knew enough to know deep down she did care for others other than herself.
Their conversation was brought to an abrupt end as echo of growing voices came from through the tunnel. Thobera quickly slipped on her cloak and placed the food and drink items inside the pockets before rushing over to the gap in the wall. Thorin nodded toward her as he spoke.
"Go Thobera," He ordered softly "I wish you luck in your new life."
"Thank you prince Thorin," she replied with a sincere yet gentle tone as her face formed a small but gentle smile for the first time ever "I pray we meet again someday."
Thorin watched as she climbed through the gap in the wall and disappeared into the night. He knew that they would never meet again, for she was now in exile and could never return to Erebor while his grandfather or father were on the throne. She would probably go live with the Elves of Mirkwood or the Men in Lake Town or beyond. It somehow saddened him that he would never see her again. He knew so little about her, why she was so stubborn, what her life was like in Dale or even what she would do now. And after the trouble he had gone through to get her out of Erebor, it felt pointless as he would never be able to find out what she did afterwards. But he had spared the life of a commoner who Thror had so cruelly sentenced to death. This provided him all the comfort he needed and proved a lesson to himself and to his future people. That he could pass judgement on the innocent and not abuse the power like his grandfather had done.
Thorin placed the hood from his cloak on his head and slowly backed away into the night unnoticed. He silently made his way back to his chambers where he would reflect on the decisions he had just made and awaited news on the Dwarf woman's disappearance. He hoped to all of the Valar that she would not be discovered or killed and that she would be able to start her new life in wherever she chose. And he too hoped they would meet again someday, but under different circumstances to what had just occurred.
Throughout the next couple of years Thorin never heard of any news of Thobera and had made the assumption that she had in fact made it out of Erebor alive. This brought a great comfort and relief to him as his risk was not all for nothing. But there was one other who knew of what Thorin did, but he was a loyalist and close friend to the young prince and never dared to mention it to anyone. For he had an understanding heart and could come to terms with why Thorin had done such a thing. Thror's love of gold grew fiercer and fiercer over the passing years and this led to an unseen danger. The same danger which would impact the lives of so many. The day the Dragon Smaug came and destroyed Erebor was the worst day of young Thorin's life. It had changed him greatly and made him realise how hard life could get. Decades later as he grew older and more determined than ever, he was prepared to take back his beloved kingdom from the monstrous gold loving beast. And an unexpected twist would occur on this very same quest. Not only would it be thirteen Dwarves, a Hobbit and a Wizard, but also a face from Thorin's past of whom he had thought he would never see again… Thobera.
Authors note: So how was it? I personally think this chapter was better than the first chapter. The next couple of chapters will not feature Thobera but will focus on the events of the movie. Hope you enjoyed reading about Thorin's past before Smaug destroyed Erebor. Please review and tell me what you think. Thank you!