Coming Of Age – Chapter 8
ThoraLee was standing alone by a large window that was opened; the sun was setting beyond the horizon as she overlooked the top of the trees that blanketed the darkening forest before the Lonely Mountains. You could barely see the top of the Mountain as it was covered by clouds.
A gentle breeze blew into the room as she closed her eyes as she breathed in the freshness of the air. Then she opened and smiled as a large hand snaked and wrapped around her shoulder and pulled her towards him as his soft low baritone voice whispered into her ear, "ThoraLee," caressing her.
She turned her head to one side and rested her cheek on his chest. She could hear a low rumble as it vibrated from within his chest, as if he was growling; a sweet contented growling.
"My sweet ThoraLee…" He hugged her tighter to him but she felt her ear twinged; the same ear that was sliced by the dagger he threw in the work shop…
"Ouch!"
"It's okay," she could hear his sweet voice saying to her, whispering as he nibbled her earlobe.
She giggled at first, her skin tingled with the sensation his nibbling was making her feel.
But he became a little more aggressive as his nibbling began to sting, "Thorin! Ow! That hurts! Take it easy will you?" She tried to nudge him away.
But he continued his tight hold on her, "It'll be okay, Lee my love. It'll stop hurting."
Lee frowned as she thought to herself; this was not the way it was supposed to be!
He bit her ear again and this time, harder.
"OW!"
She screamed! And pushed him away and yelled at him, "What is your problem?"
He was smirking at her as he held his hand to her, "Come back to me, Lee. Let me kiss you, my love." He leaned in to kiss her..or did she leaned to kiss him?
Wait, my love? Since when did Thorin start calling her my love?
He began biting her ear again...
Lee?
Lee!
Wake up!
Lee woke up with a start, sitting up on her bed, her father and brother staring at her; they were standing by the door to her bedroom but she wince hard as she sat up; her head was pounding as if someone had taken a mattock and repeatedly smashing it on her head, on top of it was her ear which was still throbbing.
"Are you okay, Lee?"
She began to nod but it was throbbing hard as she moved it so she muttered instead, "Yes, Why?"
Jor and her father exchanged looks before he replied to her, "You kept calling Prince Thorin's name, telling him to stop…did you kiss him, Lee?"
"No!...Must be dreaming," she mumbled again. "Head's hurting bad, need rest, please," She flopped down on her pillow as she groaned out loud but soon was quiet with a light snore as she fell asleep again. Then sat up again suddenly, "I DID NOT KISS THORIN!" She fell back onto her pillow.
Father and son peeked at her and said together, "Hangover." They nodded and left her and headed out to the work shop where they worked until the sunset.
….
It was dark by the time the three dwarves made it back to Erebor. Dwalin and Balin had decided to leave for the Misty Mountains with Jor in the next few days as soon as they stock up their provisions. They were to look for Old Master Odin with the intention of convincing him to take in the young dwarf as his apprentice.
"You know he lives near the Misty Mountains?" Thorin asked, wishing he was going with them.
"Yes, last we heard, ten years ago." Balin added.
Thorin eyed his friend.
"What happened if he didn't want to, take Jor in? Wouldn't he be disappointed then?"
"We have talked to him with all possibilities and he is prepared for it. He is excited to travel, nonetheless."
"I see," Thorin remarked quietly. "When are you leaving?"
Dwalin shook his head, "Soon, maybe by the end of the week."
"That soon…" Thorin said sadly.
"Thorin, you'll be soon busy with your text script with Lee. That is going to take quite a while. My friend," Balin nodded his head encouragingly. "You'd hardly have time to see us. By the time you have that text completed, we'd be back already. You wouldn't have noticed we had gone."
Thorin looked at his friends and smiled, "You're right. I'll be busy. But I will miss you all nonetheless.
"As we will, Thorin," Dwalin replied. He too admitted and realized that he really would miss his closest friend when they leave for the Misty Mountains.
As they approached the palace, they saw the guards waving to them anxiously.
"Your highness!" When the three came up to them.
"What is it? What is going on?" Thorin was tensed, his hand on the hilt of his sword, as did his two friends.
"The King of Nogrod has come to visit. He has brought an army of fifty men and his womenfolk and a whole kingdom of household servants!"
"What is he doing here?" Thorin asked."
"I know not, your highness." the guard replied.
Thorin nodded, "That's all right. We shall find out."
The guard let them through and the three rode on.
"What is going on, Thorin? The King of Nogrod? Gul Mored, hmmm, I can guess what he is here for, no doubt the Arkenstone." Thorin frowned hard.
"Why would he want the Arkenstone?"Dwalin asked.
"As one of the nine Dwarf Kings whom father is one of nine, they all have the rights to the Arkenstone. Whosoever has possession of the Stone is King of all nine. In his dreams," Thorin spat.
"But the Stone is not yet discovered."
"I know, that is why I don't know why he is here, and why is he bringing the womenfolk?" Thorin was puzzled by it as he was approached by the squires who came and took their ponies.
"The King has been asking for you, your highness," the young dwarf said nervousness.
"Well, I'm here. I'll be up directly," he nodded at him assuredly.
A little later, he made his way, by himself as Balin and Dwalin retreated to their rooms; they knew this was not their business, so they stayed away from it, they knew that Thorin would fill them in later.
Thorin straightened his clothing as best he could as he rushed into the court where he knew his father would be receiving guests.
"Ah! Here's my son!" He heard his father's booming voice, sounded relief upon seeing him. "Thorin! Come greet King Gul Mored and Queen Pri! You have not seen them since you were a wee babe."
Thorin bowed to them and greeted them politely then he looked at them, trying to gauge their visit as he moved to stand by his father's right side, by his throne.
King Gul Mored was a big fat doughy dwarf weighing over 30 stones; short and stumpy. His finger were stubby with big gaudy rings on every digits, thick cords of gold chains wrapped around his fat neck as if he was wearing a collar. His legs were short and fat as round like cut of tree trunks. His wife, the queen was not any skinnier, similarly dressed and heavily jeweled, it was a wonder they could move about them easily.
He glanced at his father to see his reaction and almost laugh as his father was trying his best to contain himself.
Thorin wondered what Lee would say if she were to see them!
Wait a minute…since when did you want to know what she thought of her opinion? Did it matter?
Well, yes; for a good laugh because she would make him laugh.
He suddenly realized he couldn't stop thinking about her!
"…And so we decided it would make an excellent alliance and we can expand our kingdoms by our children's wedding."
"Who's wedding?" Thorin blurted.
"Why yours and our daughter's, the Princess Gruffidel!" Gul Mored and his pudgy wife began clapping enthusiastically.
Thorin whipped his head to face his father and heatedly said, "Father, please do something about this!" He hissed quietly, sounding desperate.
"But son," Thrain shook his head as he whispered back. "You have not seen their daughter yet. What happens if she is a… uh…she is…agreeable?"
"You cannot be serious about this?"Thorin was waving around the room behind him.
"Their kingdom is larger than ours…a lot larger. It would make our kingdom bigger against the dwarves from the Misty Mountains and Moria."
Thorin shook his head sadly, "So you're selling your eldest son for a bigger kingdom."
Sighing, Thrain said, "I have not decided on anything."
"Thrain!" Gul Mored interrupted the father-son discussion, "Shall I present my daughter?"
Diplomacy dictated that he must not decline his guest's request.
"Please do us the honor, Gul Mored." Thrain nodded.
Gul Mored, encouraged nodded his head, then clapped his hand three times and immediately a group of male dwarf servants carrying a light colorful stretcher-like which a very beautiful female dwarf sat atop of it. She, like her parents, was clad in gold jewelry almost from head to toe. Her hair was adorned with gold ropes looped intricately in and around her hair, more gold necklaces wrapped around her neck. Her wrists were covered with gold and jeweled-toned bracelets, as well as her ankles peeping out of her skirt. Unlike her parents she was not fat and pudgy but was slender. The dwarf servants sat the carrier down and helped the princess out of her seat, the servant in the front knelt before her placed a white cloth on top of his hand and held it out, she then place her hand on top of the cloth before she was helped out of her seat.
Thorin arched his brow; obviously, she felt herself way above the servants.
She walked daintily to stand by her parents and waited imperiously, her chin up in the air.
"Thrain, Thorin, my daughter, the Honorable Most High, Princess Gruffidel," Gul Mored announced proudly.
Thrain who did not get up bowed from his seat, while Thorin bowed to her from where he was, while he wondered silently to himself where she obtained that insufferable title.
"My dear, that is King Thrain and the oldest prince Thorin, who, if it is agreeable, would be your husband."
Gruffidel glance at Thorin and turned to her father and said, "He will do but needs to dress better to compliment my stature."
Thorin frowned as he shook his head, "Um, no…not yet. I have not agreed to any proposal."
Gul Mored turned red immediately and glared at Thrain, "Thrain! What is this! You agree to the alliance!"
Thrain held out his hand, "Hold it, Gul Mored. My son meant that …"
"That… ?" Gul Mored asked suspiciously. Then he added, "Oh, you mean the Arkenstone. If you have found the Stone. Why it would be rightfully ours."
Thrain stood up immediately, incensed, "No! That is not in the agreement."
Gul Mored nodded as he smirked, "Oh no, you're not getting away so easily, Thrain. Your father Thror had made the agreement and signed upon it with my father." He removed the contract from his chubby body. My father once saved the life of your father, so in return they agreed to share the richness of the Kingdom from the Lonely Mountains and contents, where the Arkenstone is also found."
He handed the contract to Thrain who read it and confirmed that their fathers had signed it.
Thrain looked at his son, "I'm afraid so, son. The contract is true and binding. Whatever is in the Lonely Mountains is half theirs." He emphasized those words to him.
Thorin looked at him strangely as if he was trying to hint at him but not in front of their guests. Thorin nodded; he knew what his father was getting at; the Arkenstone might not be in the Lonely Mountains.
Gul Mored took the contract back from Thrain's hands and put it away in his body. Thrain wanted to laugh; there was not a lot of treasure to be found in the Lonely Mountains; the dwarves and humans had dug most of it and left it bare. They were welcome to the leftovers.
"Well," Thrain who was still standing. "I believed we have set up a good table for supper. Shall we repair to the dining halls?" He pointed to the double doors across to his left.
Gul Mored rubbed his hands together, "Food! Oh yes! Let's!" His queen was bobbing her head happily as they walked happily towards the dining halls.
Thorin held his hand out to Gruffidel, "Princess?" He had forgotten her name, so using her title was safer.
Gruffidel held her chin up but did not take his hand and followed after her parents.
Thrain shook his head as he walked with his son who whispered to his father, "How long are they staying?"
Thrain shrugged as he whispered back, "I don't know, son. But I hope it's not long. I don't know how much I can put up with this."
"Me, too, Father, me too." His Father clapped his arm around his shoulder and with a show in force, father and son walked smartly to the Durin dining Halls.
…
It was a long drawn out dinner. It was very long and made longer because the Princess Gruffidel was unhappy with the entire meal served to her. The meat was too tough, according to her that her servant had to cut it into small pieces for her. Then she complained that the freshly baked bread was stale, which wasn't. Then she pointed that the silver ware were dirty. She refused to eat until the servants brought her cleaned ones which she had rejected three sets, as well as the dishes. Thorin wanted to pour his wine on her by the middle of the meal, he had lost his appetite. As he was sitting there watching her pettiness, he began to think of ThoraLee and wondered what she thought of this 'princess' and her ill-manners. Then he realized that he was thinking about her again. Her parents had ignore her as they were busy eating. They were not complaining about their food.
Thrain was frustrated, he tried to please the princess but didn't know how; as he never had anyone that was so particular at his dining table. Until her father finally said, "Just don't mind her, has been like that since she was little, we just learn to ignore her, either she eats or she starves, her choice." He then continued eating without waiting for Thrain's reply.
Thorin shrugged at his father who then shook his head and began to eat.
Soon, Gruffidel, seeing that she was ignored by everyone began to eat. Thorin saw that her parents were right.
I can't marry her! I'd drown her before we even say I do! Thorin thought to himself as he took another drink.
Maybe that was why her parents were eager to marry her off because she was thoroughly obnoxious and impossible.
Thorin thought more about the situation and almost laugh out loud; recalling the dagger incident, this little princess would not last after the first throw. He grinned when he recalled ThoraLee's glint in her eyes when she threw that dagger at her brother, missing him deliberately. He had seen the way she threw the dagger; exactly how long did she spend her time with those elves? They were almost deadly accurate. Then he remembered the open wound in her ear; he had sliced her ear opened with the deadly dagger because she was distracted and she was yelling at her…
"…are you listening to me?" Gruffidel was glaring at him.
"I'm sorry, my lady, I was day dreaming. What were you saying?" Thorin asked her. He realized with a shock he was thinking of that insufferable female again.
Gruffidel repeated as she looked about her imperiously, "I said, when we are married, I will make sure these drafty halls will be changed."
Thorin leaned forward, "But we're not married yet, princess."
"I know. But we will be. You will find the Arkenstone just like my father promised me. And then, I will change things around here."
Thorin said nothing but mutter under his breath…over my dead body unless I drown you first in a bucket of water.
"As for your outfits," she continued. "I will be bringing my valet and steward to dress you."
"Um no. I have my own." Thorin shook his head.
"Your valet has no taste and dresses you ghastly. Really Thorin, let me handle everything. This whole palace needs a new change." Gruffidel said proudly.
Thorin slammed his drink down and stood up; he has had enough of her and her high handed attitude.
"Let me tell you, Princess whatever-your-name and I-don't-care-what-it-is. Before you go about redecorating a single dust in this palace, I must remind you that the Queen of Erebor is still alive and very well. You will never replace her ever. Good night, father, King Gul Mored, and Queen Pri, pray forgive me."
Thrain stood up and tried to get his son's attention who did stopped by his side, "I'm sorry but she is driving me crazy."
"I know but don't leave me by myself with them!" Thrain looked desperately at his son.
"Father, I'm sorry, I just can't." He quickly fled from the dining halls.
…
Back in his private quarters, he found his steadfast friends waiting for him, beer in hand already.
As he grabbed his beer and drank gratefully; preferring his beer to wine as they were too sweet for him.
"Well, how did it go?" Balin asked.
Quickly, Thorin told them the purpose of Gul Mored's visit, adding the insufferable princess.
"Goodness, is she a hoity-toity snooty one. She'll make you a good and wonderful wife," Dwalin teased him.
Thorin reached over a big piece of bread and threw it at his friend who ducked away fast, avoided the mass of baked yeast and flour.
"Oi! Here now, you are not those twins!" Balin shook his head.
"Indeed, those twins are nothing but bad influence!" Dwalin laughed.
Thorin glared at his friends. "Speaking of the twins, are you still decided on your trip?"
"Aye, and very soon." Balin and Dwalin nodded.
They spent the rest of the night discussing about their trip to the mountains
….
End of Chapter 8
Author's Note – As you can see, if you're a Tolkien follower, you'll know that the Arkenstone was already in Erebor but not in this story. Here, Thror, Thorin's grandfather had been dead a while back and the Arkenstone was never found. I hope I have not confused anyone yet, this will be explained in later chapters, just bear with me!
Thank you!