Avoiding:
Lúthien looked over her shoulder at her matriarchal companion. She quirked her left brow and contorted her lips in a very disapproving manner. The young woman did not like being teased but for some reason it appeared that everyone around her reveled in the thought of her being furious. Her hand reached for the door ring and pulled hard opening the door- only to find her passageway blocked by the ever present and ever brooding Peregrin. She stomped her right foot huffing loudly knowing he would hear her disapproval- which he did and smile tightly at her annoyance. It pleased him to know that she disliked his presence as much as he disliked having to guard her.
This will never do- tis harder and harder to keep this cat and mouse game up - he's a right bright one he is -I'll give him that. Not the like others. I'll have to be quicker-more clever with him. She smiled mischievously. But then, I do love a bit of a challenge. She snickered then cleared her throat growling. "If you do not let me pass I shall be late for my brother's feast, Peregrin." He did not budge which made her all the more terse and frustrated. Peregrin stood taller, bowing his board chest as she squeezed between his hips and the wall. She grunted and nearly fell to the floor. Lúthien gathered herself pressed the creases of her dress, flipped her hair back and strained her neck looking up at him.
He chuckled heavily as he glared down at her. "Why, little mouse….was that you who needed to pass?" His voice thick, burly and extremely sarcastic. "Why all you had to do is ask...m'lady" His shoulders scrunched up as his hands folded out openly.
"I loath you Peregrin." She snapped with a hiss.
He took her by the elbow. "The feeling is mutual I can assure you."
Lúthien jerked her arm loose. "I am perfectly capable of walking on my own."
Varada bolted in front of the pair poking Peregrin on his stomach. "You beast! Unhand her immediately- she has injured her head!"
Perefrin unemotionally reached out grabbing her elbow again as he snorted. "Perhaps it has knocked some sense into her." With that he led Lúthien down the corridor forcefully.
Varada snorted as she bolted past him taking Lúthien by the hand. "Sweet lamb pay him no mind. He is an animal."
Peregrin chuckled shaking his long blonde tresses as he released the girl's elbow- allowing the two females to venture slightly ahead of him-two strides to their four. The noise increased in volume the closer the trio ventured to their destination. Music-laughter-chatter all the gayeties one might expect from this type of festivity. Moments later they were all three at the great hall-at the feast of ages.
Lúthien could hear her father laughing-she stopped suddenly darting back behind the drapery-her back braced firmly on the stone pillar. Varada moved in close watching the younger's eyes. "What lamb?" She whispered softly trying to ascertain what had made the girl suddenly shriek into the darkness. "What is it?"
Her breath quickened as her chest tightened. "I cannot do it, Varada." She whispered breathlessly.
Varada placed her hands on either side of Lúthien's upper arms and held firmly. "Cannot do what dearest? What is it-tell me quickly."
Lúthien looked over the older woman's shoulder at Peregrin who was standing as sentential. Slowly rolling her body over, Lúthien gathered the thick material into her hand as her eyes closed slowly. When she opened her lids the entire vast expanse of the great hall flooded her vision. Lúthien closed them tightly again only opening them once she felt Varada's hand on her right shoulder and whisper in her ear. "Lamb what makes you fret so?" Lúthien pointed her finger towards the assembly. Varada creased her brows looking into the hall. "There… my father…my mother … Banazîr and….…and…." She gulped.
Varada cast her eyes on the assembly again and smiled. "Ah… I see… King Thror.." she chuckled softly.
"No… not him." Lúthien retorted in frustration.
Varada gave another playful look. "No?...hmmmm… I wonder…Oh now I see…aye…..prince….Thrain. Why ever would not want t-" Lúthien slapped the elders arm.
"Varada! Stop teasing me… you know exactly," she looked over her shoulder at Peregrin who watched the pair with intensity. She lowered her voice another octave. "You know exactly who I mean." They looked again, Varada unable to stop the tease- acted surprised when her eyes landed on Thorin again. She grabbed Lúthien's arm. "Oh dearest lamb…. look… why if it isn't that boorish oaf of a prince. Why the very nerve of him showing his face here after…" She raised her fist to her mouth and chuckled. Lúthien glared at the woman sternly. "Oh now there, my sweet pet." Varada gently pat the girl's cheek and smiled.
Lúthien once again looked at the dark haired dwarfish prince standing amongst the assembly (located very close to where they were) talking to her father. She rolled back, leaning her head softly against the stone with a soft hiss. "I cannot go out there."
"Your father will have a row if you do not present yourself, Lúthien." Leaning into her ear. "This is Banazîr's feast…you must Lúth-"
"I cannot… I cannot face him Varada…. I just cannot….I beg of you." She whispered with pleading eyes. "I beg of you."
Varada sighed allowing her head to drop. "Lúthien…my sweet wee lamb, you will surly have us both in trouble 'afore the day is done." She looked up into deep emeralds and could not help but smile. Varada stood tall. "As you wish….but if I land in the dungeon I shall ne-" Lúthien wrapped her arms around Varada's neck and hugged her tightly.
"Bless you Varada…bless you." She pulled back with a smile. "I am in your debt."
"And I shall collect on that debt mark my words wee lamb…. mark my words." She shook her head chuckling humorously as she headed in toward Éomer.
Lúthien fisted the drapery in her hand -holding her breath as Varada moved closer and closer to the circle.
Éomer caught site of Varade approaching without his daughter and his brows furrowed hard. "Varada." His voice husky and course. All eyes of the assembly were soon on her. She stopped, pressed the creases of her apron then curtsied bowing her head to King Thror and company. "Your majesties." All members of the royal line of Durin inclined their heads.
The silence was broken by the clearing of Éomer's throat. "Varada? Where is my daughter?" He growled. "Has she slipped away once more from you and Peregrin?" He stretched his neck looking for the very man whose name just passed form his lips.
"Oh nay m'lord. She has not … not at all." Varada looked over her shoulder. "She is…. She is…."
"Lúthien is what … confound you woman… where is my daughter?" He hissed.
"Éomer." Mirabella whispered as she placed her hand gently on her husband's forearm all the while looking at the dwarf king and family. "Dearest, she is fine I saw her only moments ago in her chambers…dressed…and preparing to come down." She smiled and inclined her head gazing hopefully in Varada's eyes that indeed her daughter had not slipped away. "Is this not true Varada?"
"Tis correct m'lady." She inclined her head.
"See there dearest...all is well." Mirabella slipped her hand in the crock of her husband's arm patting it tenderly with the other.
Éomer folded heavy arms across the expanse of his board chest. "I am waiting Varada…where is Lúthien?"
Peregrin leaned down so the heat of his breath tickled Lúthien's ear. "What are you up to little mouse?"
Her head spun tightly around and up. "I am up to nothing." She spit through gritted teeth. Quickly turning her head to peer at the assembly watching Varada speak to her father. Her breath hitched as her father's eyes looked in her direction and he called loudly for Peregrin. The large man grunted bumping Lúthien hard as he passed by her and headed to into the great hall.
Varada glanced from Éomer then over her shoulder at a rapidly approaching Peregrin. She thought for a second…searched her mind quickly for something to say that would keep herself alive. "M'lord… Lúthien has fallen ill and begs all to forgive her absence." It was at that moment she felt Peregrin standing inches behind her.
"Ill…what has happened to my daughter?" Mirabella responded in concern. "She was quite well when I saw her in her chambers."
Lúthien held her breath, clenching the material in her hand tightly.
Éomer looked to Peregrin who smiled curtly. "M'lord your daughter is quite fine." His smile turned wicked as he leaned over Varada. "As a matter of fact she is…." He twisted his waist to point to the pillar. "….she is just over yonder behind that pillar."
Varada elbowed the guard in his solid stomach which had absolutely no effect on him.
Think…. think….. She racked her brains and came up with the only thing she could.
And before she knew it the words had slipped from his mouth. "M'lord, Lúthien was nearly run over this very day on the south road…by a rider on a wild beast -causing her to fall and hit the back of her head- she now has a large lump!"
Lúthien's eyes widen and her breath hitched. "Varada…no" She muttered under her breath as her lids closed tightly.
Up until this point Thorin had been standing with his arms crossed shifting from boot to boot- rather bored at the conversation of Lord Éomer's offspring. His attention became very focused and his head raised slowly- crystal blue orbs focused on the older woman.
"What?" Mirabella shouted. "Why was I not told of this?"
"She did not wish to worry you m'lady." She inclined her head. Then Varada scanned the assembly stopping when her eyes landed on Thorin whose gazed was fixed on her.
"Who was this who accosted my daughter and left her to way side?" Éomer snorted glaring at Peregrin.
Varada smiled. . She could not help herself and once again the words flew out of her mouth. "Apparently m'lord…twas a 'boorish oaf' upon a wild beast, m'lord." Her eyes never lost contact with the young prince's.
A hidden smile brushed across Thorin's lips. Why that little minx…daughter of Lord Éomer of Dale. Thorin chuckled to himself as the vision of Lúthien crossed his mind. Long dark tresses shook as he once again locked eyes with Varada.
"And where were you Peregrin while this happened to my daughter?" Éomer hissed.
"M'lord-" Pergrin growled as he peered over his shoulder at the girl.
Lúthien rolled her back against the pillar-her fists teeth clenched tightly. "How could you Varada."
"Lúthien….come here daughter." Éomer called. "Child….come here."
Thorin caught a glimpse of her figure slipping away into the shadows.
"M'lord Éomer ….I will see that she returns to her room and rests." Varada excused herself traveling as fast as her feet could carry her. A furious Peregrin had already headed to where Lúthien had been hiding behind the thick pillar cursing under his breath.
Lúthien scurried quickly down the hall-slipping out into the gardens where the moon shown a bright yellowish hue upon the night. She held her breath, ducking into the nearest hedgerow she found as she heard the faint sound of Varada calling for her and a snorting- hissing -growling Peregrin snap her name. The voices disappeared into the distance and she breathed a sigh, placing her hand on her belly. Lúthien waited a few minutes just in case her 'guardians' had doubled back. When at last she felt secure enough in her belief she was alone in the garden she stepped out of the shadows and into the moon's light.
Suddenly she felt very small standing there looking up into the night sky, the moon so large she believed if she stretched her arm out just far enough- she just might could touch it. Lúthien sighed lacing her fingers together and replayed the events that had just transpired. Slowly she strolled along the garden path towards several resting benches and sat on the first one she happened upon. With open hands, palms down she rubbed her thighs up and down willing her heart to cease its rapid beating. The sound was deafening in her mind and she feared it would give her location away.
"Lúthien of Dale." The husky, throaty sound rumbled from behind her. Her back stiffened causing her to sit as straight as she could. "You might have said…as a courtesy at least...who you were." The young prince throated as he stepped tow paces toward her before stopping. His thick muscled body still hidden in the shadows of the hedgerow.
Her back remained towards him as her fingers laced tightly-she braced herself. "And would it have made a difference to your ill manner?"
He chuckled fisting his hands behind his back as he strolled into the light in front of her. "Most likely not in the slightest bit."
She turned her head farther to the side. "I suspected as much."
Again the young prince chuckled heavily, pacing a short distance back and forth. "After all I am a…." He looked to the sky tapping his chin. "What was that your governess called me? "Ah aye…" Thorin looked at Lúthien who had now looked up at him. "A 'boorish oaf'." He bowed with great exaggeration. "At your service."
Lúthien leapt up furiously. "And you remain as such!" She had not taken two steps when the heat of his hand wrapped around her wrist and jerked her backwards, flinging her around to face him.
The more she struggled to free herself from his grip the tighter he held on. "Let go of me!"
Thorin pulled her so close to him she could feel his breath on her cheek. "Why did you say that I left you at the roadside- you know I offered my assistance to take you to Dale? Twice."
He smiled as she struggled-pulling her closer. But then his temper got the best of him. "You are no match for me child so do not resist." He hissed against the warm flesh of her cheek. Thorin's eyes closed as the scent of hair filled his nostrils. Sweet soft smells. He gazed down into her beautiful eyes that spat venom at him and could not help himself to be captivated by this young creature. "Why did you bare falseness against me?" He cocked his head slightly just as he caught the sight of her hand raising up to strike him and let out a roar before grabbing her other wrist. "You foolish child."
"Twas not I who said you left me on the roadside." She hissed through gritting teeth as she jerked and twisted-Thorin loosened his grip allowing her to free herself. Lúthien took a step back. She leaned forward slightly. "And for the last time I-am-not-a-child." She growled.
Thorin returned the lean inward to meet her nearly nose to nose. "Then- why- do- you -behave as such?" In a split second the sting from her hand burned his cheek causing his eyes to close and open. And when they did they were wide and full of fury.
Lúthien stood straight -a burning sick feeling came over her starting in the pit of her stomach as she heard the rumbling building in his chest. In the moon light she could see his nostrils flare and swore she saw fire in his eyes. Before she could bolt Thorin snatched her by the wrist dragging her to the sitting bench. He plopped himself down firmly flinging her like a rag doll over his knees. His left hand braced her back firmly as Lúthien kicked her legs feverishly trying to wiggle from his hold. Within seconds Thorin had the hems of her dress up and over her backside. There was nothing to protect her warm flesh accept the thin material of her shift. "You act like a spoilt child and so you deserve what a spoilt child ought to get." He growled.
Before he knew what he was doing Thorin lowered his raised hand upon her backside. Startling himself at the sound his hand made upon contact with her backside-it rung in his ear. Lúthien bit her lower lip. She would not give him the satisfaction of a yelp. Tears welling in her eyes at the burn she felt. He had not even realized it when he struck her again the second time- until the sting of his hand burned. Lúthien muffled a cry once again.
Thorin released his grip on her back and Lúthien rolled off him to the ground on all fours. She scurried away from him- scrambling to her feet. Thorin stood-ashamed of what he had just done-losing control like that. He took a step forward whispering her name softly as his hand reached out for her. Lúthien turned, gathering her dress hems as she ran. And ran she did-as fast as her legs could carry her.
Lúthien's eyes were so filled with warm salty fluid she did not even notice Peregrin standing near the entrance to the manor. She flew right past him. Peregrin stood tall, as usual his arms folded across his puffed out chest. He smiled and nodded at the young prince. Thorin however was unamused and stormed off.
Lúthien wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her right arm. She ran past guests- darting and weaving her way until she was finally upstairs running down the corridor to her chambers. She spun past Varada who tried desperately to stop her. "Lúthien- what …wait...why are you weeping?"
"Leave me alone!" she yelled as she neared her chambers. Her hand reached out, grabbed the door handle, nearly jumped in the room spinning around she slammed the door and latched it shut.
Varada had by then reached the entrance. She pounded on the door with her palm. "Lúthien let me in… open this door child." She pounded again.
Lúthien ran to her bed falling on the thick furs. She crawled to her pillows grabbing her favorite one as she buried her face and wept uncontrollably. The sting of his hand still burning her skin.
Varada grabbed the handle and shook it fearsly." Lúthien…open this door."
She lifted her head looked back over her shoulder. "NO! Go away and leave me be!"
Varada sighed as she continued to jiggle and twist at the handle.
"Twill do you no good." Peregrin snorted as he leaned against the stone wall bracing his boot upon it.
Varada looked crossly at the large man and huffed. "I've no time to deal with your nonsense. Something has happened to Lúthien." She looked curiously at him as a huge smile crossed his lips. "What do you know of this?" She stood in front of him shaking one finger at his face while the other fisted against her hip. "If you have hurt her in any way… by all the gods in this realm I swear I'll-" She was startled when Peregrin snatched her finger and hissed.
"You would be wise to never point this digit in my face again you old hag." His words spat at her. "And I'll have you know twas not I who laid a hand on your spoilt wee lamb. Although I have oft dreamt of the day when I would." He forcefully released her finger and pushed off the wall. He walked around Varada-leaning in over her shoulder to whisper in her ear. "Twas the young dwarf prince- Thorin himself who took your mistress over his knees and thrashed her good several times on her arse." He moved his face to her other ear his nose raking her hair as it went. "Bout time someone taught her lesson." He stood up laughing as he walked down the corridor.
Varada leaned against the wooden door. Her ear pressed against the thickness she could hear the weeping of Lúthien. "Lamb… what have I done….what have I done." She whispered.
TBC