I'm BACK! Officially! I hate sickness and family drama. Writing this is the only relaxation I get! So thanks all my readers for supporting this story!
Chapter 11
"The Truth"
Torshar cringed as Thorin lowered her gently to sit on an elevated stone and then turned to address their wizard companion, "This was your plan all along! To seek refuge with our enemy!"
"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield! The only ill-will to found in this valley is that which you bring yourself!" Gandalf retorted.
"You think the Elves will give our quest their blessing?! They will try to stop us!" the prince stated angrily.
Grey robes fluttered as the wizard stood straight, "Of course they will. But we have questions that need to be answered! Torshar needs medical treatment, Thorin, look at her!" the wizard was right as the two men turned their attention to the versifier who was still sitting on the stone spot that Thorin had placed her.
Her skin had paled to an almost transparent hue, her eyes were a dull grey with red around the sockets, she appeared to barely have the strength to hold her head up as she began to heavily lean towards Bilbo, who stood on her left. The hobbit was quick to catch her then set her up again but held her still.
"If we are to be successful, this will need to be handled with tact and respect and no small degree of charm. Which is why you will leave the talking to me. Now, let us move quickly, Torshar is running out of time." The wizard urged as he began to step down the pathway towards the marble city. Thorin knelt down and positioned the versifier so he could pick her up, more easily, bridal style with her head on his shoulder. Her forehead was ablaze with fever as he moved to catch up with the wizard; the company following closely behind.
The entourages of sixteen convened at the entrance courtyard and were greeted by an elf who the wizard addressed as Lindir. He had long brown hair, wore a deep purple robe, and had a pale gold cinclet around his head.
"I must speak with Lord Elrond."
"My Lord Elrond is not here, Mithrandir." The elf stated.
"Not here…? Where is he?" the old man asked but before Lindir could answer a horn blast was heard and more hooves were heard, coming down the path of stone. Thorin quickly ordered the men to close ranks around himself and Torshar before the horses arrived and circled them.
"Gandalf!" another brunette elf on a black stallion greeted with a smile.
"Lord Elrond! My friend, where have you been?" the wizard asked in elvish.
"We slew a pack of orcs near the Hidden Pass." The elf lord answered as he dismounted and embraced his friend, "Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders. Something or someone has drawn them near."
Gandalf chuckled lightly, "That may have been us." And gestured to the dwarf company as Thorin stepped forward, handing Torshar to Dwalin.
"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain." Elrond greeted warmly.
"I do not believe we have met."
"You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled Under the Mountain."
"Indeed… He made no mention of you." Just before Elrond could say anything in response, a pale hand reached over and lightly smacked the dwarf prince's arm.
"Be a little more… Respectful… Thorin Oakenshield…" muttered a weak Torshar.
"Torshar! What happened?!" Elrond asked worried as he dropped to his knees before Dwalin to look into her eyes. Her energy had been depleted with her last statement and movement so all the versifier could do was gaze down to her shoulder; silently telling the lord what the problem was.
Elrond gingerly began to pull the bloody garments away but was stopped by an elvish blade near his throat. He followed the line of silver to find it in the hands of Thror's grandson. Thorin spoke slowly, trying to keep his anger in check, "Do not lay a hand on her… She is not your responsibility…"
"She needs elvish medicine, Thorin. If this wound was made by what I think it was, then we do not have time to quarrel. Torshar could be dead in the next few moments if my healers do nothing! You must trust me." Elrond pleaded keeping his gaze locked on Thorin's. The king- to-be looked from Elrond to Torshar who opened her eyes slightly and nodded weakly, causing Thorin to remove his blade and allow a couple of elves to take his friend to the healers.
"You are all welcome to stay as long as you need. Bring food and wine for our guests." The elf lord said simply and asked Lindir to show them to their rooms. Thorin simply paced the hallway; worrying for Torshar's well-being.
He stopped mid step when he picked up Elrond and Gandalf's voices down the hall, "Yurbir sends his thanks for offering his daughter sanctuary." The grey wizard stated as the two stood before a closed door.
"I have heard that he and his family have been granted authority over Valtek… I am sure Torshar is happy to have her family back. What I do not understand is why she is in this company traveling across Middle-Earth to help reclaim the mountain…" Elrond stated as he stole a gaze at the door as it opened and the healers left with nods.
Gandalf walked inside with Elrond but kept the door open, allowing Thorin to get closer so he could hear, "Do you think this will affect her, long term wise, my friend?"
Elrond moved to Torshar's right side and checked her forehead with the back of his hand, "I do not believe so. My only hope is that this does not harm her mentally… You remember what happened… Poor child…" he muttered as not to wake her.
"Yes, she was lucky to have escaped. If not… I fear she would not be here today." The wizard agreed as he leaned on his staff, gazing down at the slightly peaceful, slumbering face.
Thorin could take the silence no more so he stepped into the room and spoke loud enough to get the elf and wizard's attention, "What do you mean about her escaping?" both taller men turned in surprise at seeing Thorin standing in the room.
"Thorin… This matter should not be spoken about without Torshar's knowledge." Gandalf said slowly.
This made the scowl on the prince's face deepen, "And, exactly, what were you two just doing?" the other men exchanged glances.
"You are right, son of Thrain… But let us speak elsewhere and allow dear Torshar to rest." Elrond suggested as he moved away from the sleeping figure and towards Thorin, who still stood just inside the door; Gandalf was quick to follow.
The trio moved out of the versifier's chambers, closing the door quietly behind them, and Elrond lead them down the corridor and a couple of hallways over to a pair of white maple doors. Producing a key from his sleeve, Elrond unlocked the doors and beckoned his two companions inside. The room was large but not massive, with shelves of books and scrolls on the left and right sides, an elm desk with a matching high back chair behind it, a medium-sized fireplace that was ablaze and filled the room with warmth and light in between two bookshelves on the right side of the room, and the only other furniture was two normal chairs in front of the desk. All-in-all, the room was very comforting, especially the high ceiling that reminded Thorin of the halls of Erebor.
"Please, have a seat." The lord invited kindly as he sat down himself. Thorin did not take the invitation like Gandalf did but stood, listening and waiting for an explanation.
The old wizard spoke first, "Thorin, what we are about to tell you is something very personal and delicate to Torshar. We ask you to not disclose any of it to anyone." With a nod of understanding, he began to talk, "A few years after Torshar left Valtek, she was beginning to make a name for herself. While taking a job for Rivendell and traveling over the Misty Mountains, she was attacked by Goblins. They dragged her into the bowels of their caves and performed horrific, unmentionable acts to her…" Gandalf hung his head at the thought as Thorin slowly stepped over to stand before the fire with his hands clasped behind his back.
Taking initiative, Elrond continued, "She has never divulged how she escaped, but somehow she did and made it out of the mountains then collapsed at my doorstep. Her injuries were extensive and she was near death but thankfully we were able to save her. I offered her a place here in Rivendell but she refused, saying that she would travel as long as she could before…"
"Before what?" Thorin asked as he rotated slightly to look at the elf in confusion as to why he stopped speaking.
The brunette elf lord smiled slightly as he leaned back in his chair, "Before she returned to Erebor per your invitation." This took the prince by surprise for he had thought that the versifier would take his invitation like a grain of salt and not return. A small smile appeared on his face as he faced the fire once more while pulling his pipe put of his coat and lit it, "I see…"
Later on in the evening, the company was enjoying a nice meal in the open courtyard, all except Thorin who was sitting beside Torshar, holding her hand and praying that she would be alright. A small knock on the door caused the prince's gaze to break from his friend's sleeping face to the form of Balin standing in the doorway, "How is she doing, laddie?"
"Her fever still has not broken… But Lord Elrond assures me that it should by dusk." The prince answered as his old teacher approached.
"When are you going to tell her?"
"Tell her what?"
"That you love her… Do not bother denying it! I've seen the way you look at her…" the older dwarf smirked but then frowned when Thorin's hard gaze returned and looked back at Torshar.
"I'm not going to… Ever…"
"Why?"
Thorin looked down at his fingers that were intertwined with hers then gazed up to her neck where the bruise was still present but fading, "All I do is bring hurt and pain, Balin… I am unworthy of her love… That is one of the reasons I did not want her on this journey because I knew I would become the rude, heartless, bastard that I am…"
Balin was quick to argue, "You are anything but rude and heartless, Thorin! You are noble, honest, kind, loyal… Everything a King Under the Mountain ought to be!" laying his hands on the prince's shoulders he continued, "This quest may harden your outer appearance, Thorin… But do not let it harden your heart…" and with that, the white-headed dwarf left the room; closing the door behind him.
He tried to stay as long as he could but, Eventually, Thorin's stomach rumblings finally won since he reluctantly stood and leaned over; placing a gentle but tender kiss to Torshar's cooling forehead, "I shall return… I promise…" he whispered then left the room.