I am so excited about already having followers for this story! Here is chapter 2, I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 2
"Catching Up and Speaking of the Quest"
The two dwarves dazed at each other for a few moments until Thorin stood and wrapped his arms around his old friend who returned the embrace. By this time the room had become a bustle with chatter and laughter, oblivious to the dwarves.
"I thought I would never see you again…" she whispered and Thorin retracted slowly, offering her a seat beside him, "When I received word of the attack on Erebor I was so scared that you might not have made it out."
This made the prince smile as he picked up his pipe in his left hand and wrapped the other around her hands, "Thror, Thrain, Dis, and myself all made it out, as well as most of the people." His smile slowly disappeared, "I lost my grandfather at the Battle of Moria and my father has gone missing…"
"No… They were such kind men! Although I worried for your grandfather…" she spoke low so only he could hear, "I'm so sorry, Thorin…" he shook his head to dismiss the subject as Ruwina approached with food and drinks.
"Thank you, Ruwina. I will cover his bill." The performer stated, leaving no room for the prince to argue.
He smirked and nodded thanks as he dug into his meal and looked around the crowded room. Taking notice of two suspicious characters, his face became tense; Torshar quickly taking notice, "What is it?" she whispered as the prince slowly reached for his sword as both men on either side of the room stood.
The moment his fingers gripped the hilt a man in grey robes sat before him, "Mind if I join you both?" with this man's presence, both leery men who were going jump the dwarf male retreated back to their respected corners of the room, "I should introduce myself. My name is Gandalf, Gandalf the Grey."
"I know who you are." Thorin stated, eyeing the wizard carefully.
"Well, this is a fine chance! What brings Thorin Oakenshield to Bree? For the entertainment perhaps?" the old wizard joked as he looked at Torshar who glared and tried to cover a blush.
"I had received word that my father had been seen wandering the Wilds near Dunland. I went looking… I found no sign of him." The prince said grimly and Torshar gently grasped his hand as Gandalf sighs, "You're like the others. You think he is dead."
Gandalf was quick to defend himself, "I was not at the Battle of Moria."
Thorin looked at him gravely, "No… But I was…" his gaze looked away from the wizard and seemed to stare off into thin air as the memories flooded his mind, "My grandfather, Thror, was slain. My father led a charge towards the Dimrill Gate… He never returned. "Thrain is gone," they said, "He is one of the fallen." But at the end of that battle, I searched amongst the slain. To the last body… My father was not among the dead."
"The ring your grandfather wore, one of the seven given to the Dwarf-Lords many years ago… What became of it?" the Istari member asked.
Momentarily confused by the change of subject, Thorin answered, "He… gave it to my father before they went into battle."
"So Thrain was wearing it when he… When he went missing." With a nod from the dwarf prince, the wizard nodded once as well, "That's that, then."
"I know my father came to see you before he went missing. What did you say to him?" the warrior asked, hoping to understand where his father might have gone.
Gandalf locked gazes with him as he spoke, "I urged him to march upon Erebor, to rally the seven armies of the Dwarves to destroy the dragon and take back the Lonely Mountain. And I would say the same to you. Take back your homeland."
Thorin smirked as he put his pipe down, released Torshar's hand, pushed his plate aside, and picked up his mug of ale, "This is no chance meeting, is it, Gandalf?" he asked then took a swig.
"No, it is not. The Lonely Mountain troubles me, Thorin. That dragon has sat there long enough. Sooner or later, darker minds will turn towards Erebor. I ran into some unsavory characters whilst traveling on the Greenway. They mistook me for a vagabond." He lightly chuckled.
Torshar giggled slightly, "I imagine they regretted that." She voiced and Thorin found himself drawn to her light aura.
The old wizard revealed a scrap of cloth with black lines painted all over it, "One of them was carrying a message. It is Black Speech." Thorin quickly retracted his hand as he was reaching for the cloth to get a better look, "A promise of payment."
"For what?"
"You head. As well as Torshar's."
The versifier was now confused as was Thorin, "Why her?!"
"I do not know but someone wants you both dead. Thorin, you can wait no longer. You are the heir to the Throne of Durin. Unite the armies of the Dwarves. Together, you have the might and power to retake Erebor. Summon a meeting of the seven Dwarf families. Demand they stand by their oath." Gandalf ordered.
Torshar then threw her two cents in, "The seven armies swore that oath to the one who wields the King's Jewel… The Arkenstone. It is the only thing that will unite them…" she whispered as the two shady characters got up and moved to leave as Thorin spoke again.
"And in case you have forgotten that jewel was stolen by Smaug!" he added quietly as all three watched the two men leave into the rain that still poured.
Gandalf turned back around to face the two dwarves, "What if I were to help you reclaim it?"
"How?" the prince asked, "The Arkenstone lies half a worlds away…" he looked down sadly.
"Buried beneath the feet of a fire-breathing dragon." Torshar added as she grasped her friend's hand a little tighter.
The grey wizard smiled, "Yes, which is why we are going to need a burglar."
"And you have one in mind?" the singer asked a little skeptical. Instead of responding, Gandalf the Grey stood up, bid the pair good night, and left the inn.
"Do you have somewhere to stay, Thorin?" she asked as he began to eat his meal after the wizard had gone.
"I had hoped to find lodgings here…" the soon-to-be-king stated.
Smiling, the young lady got up and strolled over to the bar where Ruwina was checking someone in, "Are there any more rooms available for tonight?"
"I'm afraid I just booked the last one, Torshar. I'm sorry."
Other than being slightly frustrated at the thought of her good friend going on a dangerous journey to reclaim his kingdom, Torshar appeared rather calm as she thanked Ruwina and made her way back to her seat. Upon her return, Thorin took notice of the way she held her shoulders; tension radiated off of her like magic off an elf, "What is it, old friend?"
"There are no rooms available tonight…" she stated sadly.
Thorin looked grim, "It could not be helped. I will find lodging somewhere else-"
"Stay with me!" she stated a little too eagerly for her liking, "I mean… The other inns are more than likely full as well and I have a spacious room… Perhaps, you could stay with me…?" she countered making Thorin smirk slightly.
"I thank you for your generosity, my friend." He stated as he finished his dinner then picked up his pipe to finish it off before retiring.
Not wanting to simply sit while her friend smoked, Torshar pulled out her own pipe, cleaned it, refilled it, and lit it. The smoke felt good in her lungs as she inhaled and exhaled, feeling the stress of the day leave her shoulders. Smiling, gazed over at her companion who smiled back with his pipe still sitting between his lips.
Her smile faded as she thought of the day when she had heard of the dragon's attack on Erebor. The absolute terror and sorrow made her chest tighten; making her grimace and worry Thorin, "Torshar? Are you alright?" he asked.
"Yes… I was just thinking of when I heard of the dragon's attack… I worried you and your family did not make it out…" as she spoke her mind, Thorin grasped her hand in gentle reassurance.
Giving her a weary smile, "You had nothing to fear, Torshar-"
"But I did, Thorin!" she snapped, "You are my dearest friend and your family was good to me while I was in Erebor… The very thought of your deaths tore at my heart…"
As she said this, she turned her face away and Thorin put down his pipe then gently grasped Torshar's chin to turn her gaze back to him, "It no longer matter, Torshar. I am alive and here with you now." He smiled, earning one in return from her.
Once they had gotten past the serious subjects between them, the dwarves ended up laughing about things his nephews had done, how his sister was doing after her husband's death, and things like that deep into the night. Until the prince took notice of his friend trying to stifle a yawn, "I believe it is time for bed."
"I believe you are right." She laughed.
"Come, let us retire for some much needed sleep." He stated as he stood, collected his belongings, and followed the dwarf woman through the room and up the stairs.
Her heart was racing fast as she opened the door and allowed Thorin to enter first. It was a spacious room with a king size bed instead of two queens, a chest of drawers to the left with a wardrobe beside it, and a vanity on the right beside the bathroom door. After locking the door, Torshar turned to find Thorin was stooped over trying to start a fire in the fireplace.
"Thorin, you don't need to worry about the fire-"
"You and I are both cold, Torshar. A small fire is not going to kill me." He joked as the fire grew and filled the room with a warm golden light.