Lament
Chapter VII
Refuge in the Last Homely House
"Quickly, keep moving!" Thorin urged them on as they ran for shelter behind another cropping is stones. They pressed against the stone trying to keep out of sight as the Orc riders sped by, still in pursuit of the brown wizard. Their howls renting through the air. A movement to his left drew his attention to Ori who kept on running and nearly left the shelter of the rocks.
"Ori, no!" He cried out, yanking him back by his knit cardigan. "Stay back!"
As soon as the coast was clear Gandalf urged them to move quickly to a specific rock, farther than others and in a different direction than they were headed. "That way, quickly. Quickly now."
Thorin waited for the others to go ahead of them. "Where are you leading us?" He asked, suspicion thick in his voice. Gandalf just looked at him his expression exasperated before he rushed along with the others, giving no answer. "Blasted wizard!" Thorin cursed as he followed.
No sooner had they all come to a stop behind the formation when the clinking of claws overhead hushed them all. One of the wargs and their riders had split off from the others in search of them. Running out of time before they were discovered, Thorin indicated for Kili to use his bow. The air was tense and he feared for his nephew as he drew an arrow and notched it. They all watched on baited breath as he stepped out of hiding and let loose the aarow.
Thorin had hoped the beast would have gone down quietly but it had lunged for Kili, causing it to miss its mark and lodge itself in its shoulder joint. Moving quickly the attacked the beast and its rider, but dread filled the, with each and every screech and howl before silence fell.
They stood for a moment waiting, hoping, when the sounds of their hunters grew louder.
"Move!" Gandalf shouted, stirring them to action, "Run!" And they ran.
There were no more rocks for them to hide behind. Now they had to sprint hard and fast across rough country and rolling hills. The howls and barks echoing all around them.
"There they are!" Gloin shouted, coming to a halt. The enemy was no longer just behind them, but also charging from the front. They were surrounded and death was inching closer. They all turned around, looking for another route when Gandalf shouted for them to follow him and they were running again.
Glancing over his shoulder he could see the two separate groups join together.
"They are gaining on us! Keep running!" He shouted when a figure hit the ground. He stopped dead, his heart stopping for a moment as he watched Devina stumble and fall to the ground thinking she'd been shot. She looked up, terror written all over her face, chest heaving. Throin made to run back for her but Bofur pulled her up by the arms as he passed and pulled her along behind him. Ensuring they didn't fall behind Thorin kept going only to stop again. Two riders were directly in front of them.
Infuriated a growl tore through his throat and he prepared to fight. Kili was running towards him, "There are more coming!" He called.
"Kili! Shoot them!" Thorin shouted, hoping to keep the enemy at bay. They didn't stand a chance in a head on fight.
"We're surrounded!" Fili yelled, confirming his fear.
"Where's Gandalf?!" Devina cried out, turning in circles looking around them. Surprised Thorin looked around as well as the others rushed into a tight rank.
"He's abandoned us!" Dwalin spat, coming to flank Thorin's right.
"Don't be absurd!" Devina snapped anger taking over the fear in her voice. "He would never do that, he has to be somewhere!" Hoping the girl was right, Thorin readied himself, hoping to stall for time.
"Hold your ground!" He ordered as three wargs and a rider advanced, the rider laughing. Then suddenly they heard Gandalf directly behind them.
"This way you fools!" He snapped, appearing between what Thorin had thought to be a solid Boulder. Rushing over he looked down to see a steep slide in the rock.
"Do as he says, move!" He ordered them, just as a Warg charged him from behind. He was lucky as his sword split the beats neck open. "quickly, move!" He shouted. His company were sliding down the gap without hesitation. Scanning to see who was left he saw Kili standing alone in the field still shooting down the orcs and their mounts. Shouting for him Kili turned in surprise and ran for safety.
No sooner had Thorin jumped after him, and landed at the bottom, when the sound of horns rang out. Fighting could be heard along with the heavy thumps of bodies hitting the ground. Suddenly something came tumbling down from the opening, causing them all to jump back and pull their weapons. It was only a dead Orc with a broken arrow lodged in its neck. Stooping down, Thorin yanked it out and examined the tip. It was finely made and even while it was covered in the thick black slugged of the creatures blood, he could tell where it came from.
"Elves," he spat, throwing it to the ground. He sent the wizard a glare. Even after telling him in no uncertain terms that he would not seek out the aid of elves, still he brings them to what he suspected was a hidden pathway to their hidden valley.
"I cannot see where the pathway leads," Dwalin called out, coming back from around a corner. He looked nervous and unsure. "Should we follow it?"
"Follow it of course" both Bofur and Devina answered, sounding relieved and shaky. They laughed at one another and the group moved forward and began following the narrow trail single file.
They didn't speak much as they shuffled awkwardly between the jagged edges of the path. Every now and then, if Devina stared straight up, she could see the sky peaking through the gully. The walls on either side were stained green in some places, created over hundreds of years of rain water etching away at the rock.
A hand pressing against her back brought her attention back to earth. She hadn't realized she'd stopped. Looking over her shoulder a blush crept up her neck. Thorin was no longer in the back of their group, having made his way past the others when they came to a halt.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"I-I'm fine! It's just this place. It feels..." She looked up again, at a loss of words.
"It feels like magic," Bildo said from in front of her looking at Gandalf. "Where are we?"
"That's because it is magic. A very old magic. Let us keep moving," he said, not answering Bilbo.
Devina felt a chilled creep up her arms when the warmth of Throin's hand slipped away. Sighing she continued on, making sure not to hold them up anymore. "This has to stop," she told herself.
"There's a light ahead!" Dwalin called from the front of their line and soon they were walking faster until suddenly the trail widened and they were bathed in sunlight. The earth had been cut away into what looked like a landing which lead to natural looking steps leading away from the ravine. But it was the sight before them that took Devina's breath way and had her rushing ahead of them all. Murmurs or awe and wonder spread through the company from behind her.
"Gandalf is this?" She called, spinning around to face them, a grin spreading across her face, all traces of wariness and fear replaced with childlike excitement and joy.
"It is the valley of Imladris. In the common tongue it is known by another name," he informed them, his voice full of suspense.
"Rivendell!" She cried, spinning on her heels to take in the beauty of the place before them. Behind her she could here Thorin accusing Gandalf of bringing them to his enemies.
"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield! The only ill will to find in this valley is that which you bring yourself!" The wizard snapped. Rolling her eyes Devina hurried over to the two. This was getting absolutely redundant.
"You think the elves will give us their blessing? They will try to stop us." He said, his voice a low threatening rumble.
"Of course they will!" She said simultaneously with the wizard. "This is ridiculous, Thorin! We need their help, and besides we are here now. Can we please stop arguing?" she asked with exasperation.
"Devina is right, we have questions that need to be answered." Thorin let out a long sigh but nodded his head. Smiling at them both Gandalf continued. "If we are to be successful, this will need to be handled with tact, respect, and no small amount of charm. Which is why you will leave the talking to me." He finished.
She grinned brightly before she rushed off again, leaving the others behind. Gandalf called out for her to wait but she ignored him, simply waving her hand in the air and shouting. "Yeah yeah, don't piss off the immortal elves! I got it!" Which caused a great deal of laughter from several of the dwarves and left Gandalf rather perturbed.
She reached the bottom of the steep path before the others, though she wasn't too far ahead. She came to a skidding halt in front of two enormous statues. Statues of elvish sentinels, marking the entrance of a large circular outdoor foyer. Stairs led up on the opposite side, and there was a building connected off to the right. It was made from the most magnificent architecture she's ever seen. Almost as if the trees and earth grew up around this place and created them for the elves specifically. Everything felt alive.
Staring up in awe of the stone figures, she trailed her hand across its hard base. It felt as smooth as marble. She was so entranced that she didn't notice the tall figure with long dark hair descending the staircase and approach her.
"quent mennë me en ettelëa" he spoke, coming to stand at the foot of the stairs.
Devina spun around to face the man quickly, taken by surprise.
"I-I'm so sorry, I didn't hear you." She explained, he had appeared so silently. He smiled and repeated himself in the same tongue he spoke before. She only stared blankly. He was perhaps the most handsome man she'd ever seen. Beautiful would be more appropriate. He wore his hair long, and wore deep burgundy robes. But he wasn't a man, he was an elf. Coming to her senses she answered him.
"I don't speak Elvish, I'm sorry." She walked towards him slowly and gave a small bow of her head. For all she knew he could be Elrond, or someone else important. "I'm so sorry to intrude. My name is Devina, I came here with-"
"Mithrandir!" The elf called to someone behind her. Looking behind she saw the others finally catching up.
"Lindir!" Gandalf greeted, walking up to the handsome elf and clasping each others arms in greeting.
"I was just telling your pretty little companion here that we'd received word of strangers arriving. Though I should have used the common tongue. I think I may have confused her." He smiled gently down at her, causing her to blush with embarrassment.
"I hope she has been polite? She was very anxious to see this place and rushed off without us," Gandalf apologized for her, giving her a stern look. Feeling like a chastised child she opened her mouth to tell the wizard off, but Lindir's laughter stopped her.
"She has been nothing but. Tell me, what brings you to Rivendell?" He asked, sounding puzzled by their appearance. He looked briefly behind Gandalf and eyed the others.
"I must speak with Lord Elrond," he told him, becoming all business.
"I'm afraid my Lord Elrond is not here," Lindir said, adopting the same tone.
"Not here? Where is he?" Gandalf asked, curious.
As if in answer the same horn from before blared through the valley, causing them all to turn quickly. Rushing up the path they'd come were several elves, all astride white horses, in full armor carrying weapons and banners. With a shout from the dwarves they all quickly closed ranks and prepared to be attacked.
Attack the riders did not however, they rushed into the foyer and circled the dwarves and Bilbo before coming to a halt. One rider broke away from the others and dismounted. When he removed his helm Devina was positive this had to be Elrond Halfelven, Lord of Rivendell. There was no denying the regality of his presence.
"Gandalf!" Elrond greeted merrily.
"My Lord Elrond" he said with a bow. When he rose he spoke in the same musical language the first elf had done.
Handing the reigns of his horse to one of the riders, Elrond also spoke in elvish as he approached Gandalf and herself. She watched fascinated but unsure how the conversation was going. This elf looked so stern it was hard to tell if he was bring cross or not. Unless he was smiling, which he did then before embracing the wizard.
"Strange for Orc to travel so near our boarders," he said in English with mock curiosity. She got the impression he knew exactly why those monsters were there. He began handing his weapons over to Lindir as he continued. "Something, or someone, has drawn them near,"
"Ah, well that may have been us," he answered sheepishly, motioning to herself and the others.
Elrond's gaze lingered on Devina for far too long, causing her to shift uncomfortable. She looked uncertainly around her wondering if she should be doing something or not. "You have a presence about you I have never encountered before. Tell me, are you one of the halflings? Your size suggests as much, but you bare no other resemblance." He stated matter of factly, coming off rather rude.
Before she could correct him, or even ask why it mattered, Thorin stepped up beside her and placed a protective hand on her shoulder maneuvering her behind him, his hand coming to rest on her arm due to the change of positions. "She is of the race of man, and a member of my company." He said, no emotion in his voice. Well that wasn't entirely true she noted, there was one emotion that she recognized with personal familiarity. Loathing. Lord Elrond simply looked her over curiously a bit more before nodding and giving Thorin his full attention.
"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain."
"I do not believe we have met" Thorin answered, not bothering with niceties.
"You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the mountain." He explained. He sounded as though he meant it as a complement, she only hoped Thorin took it as such.
"Indeed." He said skeptically, "He made no mention of you,"
Aghast Devina stared up at him open mouthed before smacking his shoulder. "Why must you always be so rude," she hissed. Thorin only smirked at her, surprisingly not annoyed by her assault of his person.
Elrond watched them for a moment before smiling. He spoke loudly to them all in elvish, but his eyes never left them.
"What does he say!? Does he offer us insult!?" Gloin shouted from the center of their huddle, brandishing his axe. Devina just groaned aloud, while Gandalf translated.
"No master dwarf. He is offering you food" The dwarves hushed for a moment before huddling together to consider the offer, as if there was any thinking about it.
Grumbling Devina crossed her arms and eyed Thorin, "I swear, you dwarves are so damnably stubborn and argumentative." He only chuckled at her insult.
"Then why do you tolerate us so well?" He asked. The bottom of her stomach fell out. She got the feeling he was alluding to far more than her simply wanting to help them. "Don't be ridiculous, there no way he knows!" She chided herself. She stood there searching for a clever response as the others made to follow the elves up the staircase. Thorin simply stood there with that obnoxious smirk he seemed to be giving her more and more.
"I, well, that's." Huffing and stamping her foot down "You're incorrigible!" She snapped before stalking off after the others but not before hearing his quiet response of "indeed,"
Once inside Elrond had them each shown to rooms down a long luxurious hall. Beautiful brass lamps with open flames lined the walls outside each door. Gandalf and Bilbo were shown to the first two rooms and the dwarves to the subsequent ones. Devina's was at the end of the hall which led onto a wide balcony filled with benches of carven wood and draped with blankets of velvet and silk. It was beautiful. "I'll have to come here while the others are asleep. It'll be perfect for writing," she mused happily, looking forward to the end of the night. Once in her room she gave a cry for joy.
"A real bath!" She laughed, dropping her bag to the floor and rushing over to the bathtub near the window. A small wooden table stood beside it filled with an assortment of soaps and oils for scent. A creamy white cloth draped over the edge of the tub for washing and a plush towel lay in a wicker chair on the opposite side of the window.
Having waited for this for weeks Devina waisted no time in stripping down and tossing her filthy clothes across the room. Stepping into the warm water she let out a contented sigh as she sank down. Her window was open and the warm breeze of late summer wafted in chilling her damp skin.
"This is heaven!" She sang merrily, not caring if anyone could hear her.
She stayed like this until the water grew too cold for her linking and her toes pruned comically. Hurriedly she scrubbed every inch of her body she could reach, and washed her hair twice before she climbed out. The evening air had cooled with the setting sun hinting at autumn encroaching on the world and she shivered.
"Cold, cold, cold" she chanted as she rushed across her window to the towel still in the chair, trailing water as she went.
Drying off as quickly as she could she wrapped her hair in the towel and went to retrieve her bag from the floor. Digging out a fresh set of undergarments Devina pulled out her clothes. She really didn't feel like dressing in her traveling clothes not in a place like this, and what other chance would there be on the road for her to feel like a girl. Suppressing a giggle of excitement she pulled out the wrapped bundle that was her dress and opened it. It only had a few light creases considering it'd been crammed at the bottom of her sack. Shaking it out she laid it on the bed, removed the towel from her hair and laid it over the arm of the chair to dry. Going back to the bed she sat down on the edge and began brushing it out.
After nearly two weeks of no chemical treatments, hair straighteners, or processed soaps and shampoos, Devina discovered her hair was thick with natural waves that had more shine than any cream of spray she had back home. No longer was it dull and limp with the occasional rouge curl or wild frizz. She supposed not having a proper bath but once in that amount of time had begun to restore the natural oils and moisture in the strands. That or it was just happy to be free of the muck that it chose to behave for a change.
"I'm amazed that I haven't found a tick or something else hiding out!" She laughed despite the shiver of revulsion the nonexistent pest gave her.
Devina allowed her mind to wander aimlessly and she stared at the drying ends between her fingers. Light caught the occasional tint of red, making her hair look almost red. She had always wished her hair had been naturally red in colour but had been blessed with a pretty shade of brown. She had once attempted to bleach the color out and change it, but the experience had almost been more disastrous that the results. She had immediately gone to a salon and had the problem remedied, but ever since her hair always seemed to give way to traces of red. As if trying to compromise with her so long as she never tried it again.
Once her hair had finished drying she Devina put on the simple green dress. It felt soft like something between brushed wool and cotton. Fitting for a cool spring or fall evening. Once finished she decided against putting on her boots and chose to walk bare foot like she noticed many of the elven women did. Letting her hair fall freely she left her temporary room and wandered down the hall before realizing she had no idea where the others might be. She knocked on one of the doors, hoping someone was there but no answer came.
Sighing she wandered around hoping to find someone who could point her in the right direction when she heard music playing. A quiet melodious tune played with what she thought was a harp and flute. It was relaxing. She followed the sound down a separate corridor and to a set of stairs leading down. As she reached the bottom she could hear Bofur shouting something.
"Alright lads, there's only one thing for it!" The sound of wood roughly scrapping across stone reached her ear as she rounded the corner into a beautiful courtyard with tables and musicians. Devina would have found the picture breath taking if it weren't for the sight that greeted her. Bofur was climbing onto the table sending bowls and plates to clatter onto the ground as he began to sing.
There is an inn
There is an inn
A merry ol' inn
Beneath an old grey hill
And there they brew a beer so brown
The man in the moon himself came down.
The shanty was catchy but Devina was mortified by their dwarves behavior as the others had begun to pound on the tables. Some with their fists, some with their utensils, and nearly all sending their food flying in every direction. Even the stoic King under the mountain stood off to the side clapping and laughing along with his kinfolk. The elves who'd been entertaining and serving moments before looked disgusted and confused by their guests.
One night to drink his fill
Oh the ostler has a tipsy cat
That plays a five-string fiddle
And up and down he saws his bow
Now squeaking high
Now purring low.
Unable to stand the spectacle they were making of themselves she turned and went back up the stairs she'd come from. Why couldn't the evening have gone calmly and been simple? From being chased by monsters, to the whiplash that tended to be their leaders mood swings, and the strangeness of her being in this world at all...well it was too much to handle nonstop. One quiet night with a full meal and warm bed after wasn't too much to ask for. Reaching the top however a voice calling out to her made her stop.
He caught sight of Devina as she left the hall. He hadn't noticed her enter, so he was surprised to see her leaving so suddenly. Chuckling once more as his men sang and laughed, he followed after her. She had already made it to the top of the stairs but he took his time to meet her there, choosing to walk and not run now the the felt relaxed.
"Why are you leaving, aren't you hungry?" He asked. He took in her appearance, and was pleasantly surprised by the sight of her. She looked lovely in the dark green garment.
"I just don't have much of an appetite," she answered, he could hear the lie in her voice and simply stared, waiting for her to tell him the truth. It didn't take long before she fidgeted a little and sighed. "It's just.." she motioned softly to the merriment behind him. "Not what I anticipated, and it's left me feeling too tired to join in," he could tell that through she was being polite, she was put off by the others. He supposed, if he tried, he could see why.
"Will you wait a moment?" He asked and when she nodded he turned back and went back to the high table. Without asking for permission he nicked the decanter of wine and two empty glasses. Pausing he set the decanter down, grabbed a napkin and filled it with a few rolls of bread which he promptly stuck inside his pocket. Grabbing the decanter once more he left again and climbed to the top of the stairs. Motioning for her to lead them wherever she pleased.
"Why did you bring the wine?" She asked him.
"I am to meet with the elf and Gandalf tonight to discuss the map. I've had enough of elves today and could use some fortification before hand," he explained with a small chuckle, indicating to the decatur.
"So you plan on getting drunk?" She asked, sounding disgruntled.
"Does that bother you?" He asked sharply, not understanding her annoyance.
"Would it matter if I said yes?" She retorted. They were walking down the hall that housed their rooms, headed for a wide balcony at the end.
"I have no desire to become drunk, no matter the company," he sighed the heat leaving his voice. "why does everything have to be an argument," he wondered.
"I'm sorry I snapped. I just don't like what people become when they drink." She explained.
"You've never seen me drink before, what is it you except I'll become?" he asked.
Smiling at him she shook her head.
"I suppose I haven't. The people I've known always ended up acting like fools at best." She explained. "It isn't very fair of me to assume you or the others are the same way."
"Share a glass with me?" He asked. He grew curious when she pulled a face.
"I'm not sure I'll like it."
"Why?"
Her laughter rang out prettily. "You're sure full of questions tonight, aren't you?" She teased. Nudging him with her shoulder she took the glasses from him so he could pour. "Promise you won't make fun of me?" She asked watching him pour a generous amount into one glass, and matching it in the second. This continued to peak his curiosity, so he nodded his head and waited.
"I've never had alcohol before. I never liked how it effected people in my world, so I never had an interest." Her confession was amusing and yet oddly sweet, childlike even. The drinking of ale and wine was second nature to him and his people, as much as mining or crafting. He wondered then, for the first time, exactly how young she was. He felt foolish for never thinking to ask when she was putting her life in danger with the rest of them.
"How old are you?" He asked her seriously setting the wine aside on a small table as they sat down together. He took for granted that his people lived longer than those of men. He just assumed she was older than she looked because she was so unlike others of her kind.
"I'm twenty-seven. My birthday is the summer in my world, but it's nearly fall here, so I suppose I'd be twenty-eight now." She rambled on for a minute about the time differences, or if there were any. Mahal she was barely a woman, his people were still considered too young until past their fiftieth year. Shaking his head he raised his glass to her.
"Then a happy birthday to you, my lady" he smiled as she raised her own glass and clinked it lightly against his before taking a cautious sip. When she didn't seem to dislike it, he began drinking his own. They talked for a little while as the sun sank behind the waterfalls and trees and as they spoke he took the time to appreciate her better. She really did make a fine picture. She may not have had the radiance of an elf, nor the golden tones of the men of Rohan and Gondor, but she possessed her own beauty. For a daughter of man, he added shrewdly. Her dark hair a wonderful contrast to her creamy skin, unmarked by disease or scars which was rarely seen in anyone other than elves. The last woman he ever looked at had a beautiful golden beard that was just long enough to cover the expanse of her bottom jaw and tie into two small braids on either side of her chin. Though that had been back when he'd been very young, younger than Kili. Even without a beard though she was nice to behold. It was her eyes he liked the most. They were the color of wet marble, a lovely color of grey that he didn't see often in any race, and when set against her contrasting features they held a bewitching lightness to them. All cream, auburn hues, and the grey of a early winter morning.
They talked a while more, enjoying her company more now than he had since they met. She had a gentle sense of humor that was dry and thoughtful which he noticed was nothing like the crass and sarcastic humor she'd displayed on the road. He suspected she had adopted it to fit in and to shock and surprise others, an attempt to eliminate the notion that she was just an innocent child. Kili was like that at times, wanting to be taken more seriously but for different reasons.
He decided that he much preferred her as she was in this moment. He knew that this wasn't an act, and it was her true personality showing through with no expectation on behavior, or pressure to fit in. She was animated when she spoke. Her face was expressive, every range of emotion flitting across it depending on the story. And her hands moved with every word. He found himself smiling and laughing more than he had in a long time constantly watching those hands as if she were recreating the words in the air. It didn't go unnoticed by him that she was a growing source of his laughter recently.
They'd fallen into a comfortable silence once she'd finished her first glass of wine, which took her the amount of time if took for him to finish three. Thorin had just refilled her glass and started pouring another for himself when he felt her head lean against his shoulder. He looked down, not sure how he should react to the contact so he settled for just watching her as she sipped at her drink. She hmm'd in contentment, eyes closed. He wasn't used to anyone being so open or comfortable with him.
"I feel safe right here," she said quietly, leaning a little more heavily into him. Resolving to do something he gently pulled back from her. This caused her to look up at him in sad confusion, before he slipped his arm lightly around her allowing his hand to rest on her hip. Her cheeks were flushed as she stared at him but he couldn't be sure if that was due to the wine or him.
He watched her as she opened her mouth to speak but The sound of running feet from the far end of the corridor interrupted anything that could have been said.
"Oh god, oh god. What am I doing?!" Devina screamed at herself disappointingly relieved by the interruption. Bilbo came rushing down the hall towards them.
"There you are!" He huffed with exertion. "They are ready for us," he explained. Thorin merely nodded and stood, setting his full glass on the table with the decanter. Not able to let him leave without saying..."what exactly? Hey this is crazy, but here's my number call me maybe?" She scoffed at herself. She felt as dumb as that needy song and yet she watched as if it were someone else grabbing his hand before he could walk away. But oh the flips and spasms he turned her stomach into when he turns back to face her. His hand a blazing fire in her own cool one. "I'm just clinging to the closet thing resembling security, right?" She wanted to ask him to stay, but instead she smiled up at him saying "I guess I should go find the others," not budging from her seat. He gave her a short nod giving nothing away except a small squeeze of her fingers before he dropped her hand and followed after Bilbo.
Once gone Devina looked around the space. Where a moment before it felt warm and inviting, cozy even, now it felt Spartan and exposed. She stayed long enough to finish her glass before sighing and standing to leave. Which if she considered how long she took to finish her first glass, was probably an hour or so. As she stood though she noticed his glass sitting there abandoned and shrugged. "No sense in wasting it. It is rather delicious," she explained her herself defensively before plucking up his glass and taking it to her room with her. She set the glasses on a bedside table and went to her bag. Pulling out her journal she returned to the bed with it and some writing supplies.
She sat there for a long time writing nothing. Just staring at the blank page in front of her. She couldn't string together a single coherent thought. Everything was a jumble, the only consistent feature being him. By the time she'd finished Thorin's forgotten glass of wine she tossed the book across the bed in frustration. With a huff she curled into the plush pillows and fell into a restless sleep.
A/N:
I am so TERRIBLY sorry for how long it's been. I got busy for a short while, then I was left struggling with different routes to take Rivendell. This was going to be an extremely long chapter (seriously the word count was double the length of the previous 6 combined!) but instead I split it into two.
I really want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughts, your follows, favorites and well wishes! Truly you are all fantastic and I wish I could give you all hugs!
I'm over 3 months away from my wedding day, I've started a part time job at Starbucks to help supplement the costs, as well has having to take a lot of time out for an ill parent. So the fact that any of you are still hoping for more or even care to tell me you're eagerly waiting for more is a great treat. :)
i'll try to be better now that I've pushed past this road block. I do want to apologize for the horrendous elvish used in this story, I could not find a half way decent translated and of course the subtitles in the film were in English.
Also would love to extend an invitation to anyone who'd like to Betaread the chapters as they are written? One kind reviewer pointed out one of my flaws that I knew was there but have too much trouble spotting myself. If you're interested send me a message.
Thank you all much!
Take care!