Disclaimer: Anything you recognize is not my own, yadda yadda yadda. I'm not making any money off of this. (Though I wish I could.)
A/N: So... If Thorin thought he could get away with being an asshat, he is sadly mistaken. In this chapter, he finds out just how scary Talya can be when she is pissed off.
The evening passed quickly. My heart was in my throat the entire time, hoping that I wouldn't miss the companies' departure. I re-packed my things about a dozen times before finally giving up. I drew back my new bow over and over, amazed at how easy it was to do so. I sat down and sharpened , then polished, the sword Fili had stolen for me until the edge was razor sharp and I could easily cut through a piece of parchment. Once that was through, I made a neat pile of everything I was to leave behind on my freshly made bed. I tried to write a note to Sithiel and Maerwen to thank them and say goodbye, but nothing I wrote sounded right.
When it was near midnight, I saw a large moth flutter into my room and land very purposefully on my hand. It startled me and I tried to shake it off. It held on for dear life and, once it started squeaking angrily, I realized that maybe it was a sign of some sort.
Then I nearly smacked my head. Gandalf had always used moths to call the eagles in the movies. Apparently he used them as other means of communication, too.
I stopped shaking my hand and mumbled a sheepish apology to the poor moth, who fluttered angrily in my face before taking off out the window. I let out a long, nervous breath, and stood up from my bed.
I hauled my pack over my shoulders and settled it into place. My quiver followed, then my bow. I tightened my belt and tied the sheath of my sword to it, adjusting the sword so it was easily accessible. My k-bar I strapped to the outside of my thigh. I flexed my fingers and glanced at myself in the mirror before I quickly and quietly left my room.
I walked slowly but surely towards the south-western path that I had scouted out the day before. I kept my head down, trying not to draw attention to myself as I neared. Thankfully, there were few elves around.
I began to walk quickly now as I set foot on the small stone path that led out of Rivendell. I glanced behind me, wondering if they had set out yet and figured it didn't much matter. I could either catch up with them, or I could wait just outside the path.
As I walked on, I began to hear the soft rustling of cloth and the whisper of voices.
"…Master Bilbo, I suggest you keep up." Thorin's deep voice was the first thing I could make out.
"Shouldn't we wait for Talya?" Bilbos voice came anxiously. "Did anyone even tell her we were leaving?"
I crept closer and waited, watching Thorin hesitate and a few of the others exchange guilty looks. A very brief look of something flashed across Thorins eyes that could have almost been regret before he let out a breath.
"Shes…" As soon as he started to speak, I stepped out of the shadows.
"…Right here." I finished his sentence. Everyone turned to look at me and I knew they were stunned, not only with my presence, but everything, from the way I dressed to the weapons I carried.
After a few moments of an awkward silence, I smiled tightly.
"What, no one has any coin to claim?" I asked, jokingly. Balin's face broke out into a wide smile, and I swore that I saw his eyes mist over.
"It seems, dear lass, that no one was foolish enough to bet against you."
I smiled genuinely this time, and there was a around of welcomes from the dwarves and Bilbo ventured so far as to hug me.
Thorin stood at the head of the group, a mild look of surprise now crossing his face as he regarding the scene carefully. I ignored him and settled myself between Kili and Fili as usual, and we began to walk.
We stayed quiet for awhile, not wanting to risk alerting the elves. My heart ached a little as Rivendell grew further and further away. It had come to feel like home in the past few weeks and I was going to miss it.
The light of dawn came and went. It was near mid-day when finally a spell seemed to break, and quiet chatter began amongst the dwarves.
"You had us worried, Talya. We thought for a moment you might not come." Ori said softly from behind me. Thorin hesitated at the front of us and I frowned.
"I may not be an official member of this company," I stated, trying to not snap at poor Ori, "But I feel I have a duty to carry out… Besides, who would keep you guys out of trouble?"
Most of them chuckled dryly, and I looked down at my wrists before hesitantly speaking.
"By the way… I wanted to thank you guys. For the bracers and the sheath. They are… beautifully made."
Fili, Kili, Balin, Bifur, and Ori smiled brightly.
"No thanks are necessary," Balin said, waving a hand back at me. "I won't have it said that we don't properly out fit one of our own."
He seemed to flash a look at Thorin, but Thorin ignored him.
"Exactly. Besides…" Kili started, then lowered his voice and continued on softly "I owe you my life."
"And where would I be without my brother?" Fili clapped his brother on the back, probably quite a bit harder than necessary, smiling warmly at me. Bifur just smiled and reached over to awkwardly pat my arm. Ori just beamed.
"I see that you have acquired something more than a few bits of armor and leather, lassie." Oin said from my left, his ear trumpet in hand. He looked at my bow and I coughed slightly, clearing my throat.
"Ah… yeah.. It was a gift. From Lady Galadriel of Lothlorien." A hush went through the dwarves and I winced mentally.
"Well, then. If your bow is anything like Thorin and Gandalf's swords, or my own, then I am sure it is finely made." Bilbo said genially. Kili hesitated.
"Can I see it?" He asked after a moment. I bit back a smirk and tugged the bow gently from my back, passing it to him. He was silent as he looked it over, obviously trying to find some flaw in it, since it was made by elves, after all. He drew it back a few times, then looked over it again, trying so hard not to be impressed.
"Its alright, for an elven bow," He said, a little too casually as he handed it back to me. He looked at me and frowned. "What?"
"You," I said, grinning again. " 'Its alright, for an elven bow.'" I mocked teasingly.
"Hey! That was pretty good!" Fili said brightly. "For a second there, I thought she was really you!"
Kili and I looked at each other, then back to Fili.
"Hey now, my voice is not that high-pitched." Kili complained.
"I am not sure what you were trying to imply, Master Fili. But I do not sound like a male." I added.
"No, but you sure belch like one." Gloin said from the back of the group. I rolled my eyes and for awhile, we teased each other. It felt good to be back with them, and I felt slightly ashamed of the fact that I had hid from them for two days.
We made good distance from Rivendell that afternoon. We snacked as we hiked and the dwarves began to talk about the things they had seen in the elvenhome. I listened more than I talked, finding it interesting how their perception of the elves had changed, even if it was only slightly. I knew the animosity between the races was deep, but I also knew that they would need help from the elves in the end.
Kili and I broke off from the group at one point to find what game we could, leaving our gear with Fili and Ori. Dwalin and Gloin had complained loudly about the lack of good, red meat off the bone while with the elves and, while I had enjoyed the fare served quite a bit, I felt the same. I was craving a big, thick steak with sautéed mushrooms and onions. Or a slice of the prime rib my mom had always made at Christmas. Hell, at this point, I would have settled for a freakin Big Mac.
We stalked through the woods quietly. Kili managed to take a large rabbit as it burst from under the brush not far in. A little further out, we both crouched down as Kili pointed out a herd of small roe deer. He smirked slightly and jerked his head in the direction of the deer. I raised a brow, as if to ask if he was sure, and he nodded slowly. It was at least forty yards away, and I was going to argue, but his continued smirk stopped me. I lifted my bow and slowly, quietly knocked an arrow and took aim at a large doe near the end of the group. I took in a deep breath and let it out slow. Once I was ready, I let fly the arrow.
She never knew what hit her. The arrow struck her behind her shoulder blade and she fell nearly immediately. The rest of the herd panicked and took off. Kili whooped and slapped me on the shoulder.
"Nicely done!" He said, smiling like a proud parent. I grinned stupidly.
We walked off to the fallen doe and, once I had thanked her for her life as my grandfather had always done, Kili showed me how to take the arrow out neatly to save the point. We made quick work of field dressing her and, when Kili made to pick the deer up, I stopped him.
"Uh-uh. I killed her, I'll carry her." I said.
"Oh, no. Talya, come on. If you do that, I'll never hear the end of it."
"Nope," I popped the 'p' when I said it. I shoved him good naturedly out of the way and he let me, shaking his head. I grabbed the doe by her back legs and began to drag her behind me. Kili let out an pained sigh.
We made our way back to the company and, just as Kili predicted, they proceeded to bust his balls. They even good naturedly teased me, calling me the might huntress, Kili my fearless squire. The last part had come from Fili, who Kili promptly punched. Fili winked at me before the two broke out into a scuffle.
Dwalin and Balin, who had been leading up until that point, sighed in exasperation and decided we might as well stop for the day.
Bombur set Dori and Oin to skinning and butchering the deer while Bilbo, Ori, and him gathered some edible mushrooms and other plants to go with dinner. It didn't take long before there was a veritable buffet cooking. We all sat around the fire, joking and laughing, except for Thorin, who had not taken his eyes off of me.
Dwalin began to carve up the now cooked carcass and cut off a large, bloody piece of loin. He brought it over and handed it to me. The gesture took me by surprise, since I usually served myself once the choicest cuts were taken.
"Thank you, Master Dwalin." I said sincerely. He mumbled your welcome awkwardly under his breath and stammered a little.
"Well…. We have to make sure nothing is wrong with it, after all." He finished lamely.
Bombur brought me over a bowl of mushrooms, saying he remembered how much I enjoyed them in Rivendell. Leave it to Bombur to remember something about me that involved food. I thank him warmly.
As I took a bite of the meat, I let out an embarrassingly load groan of pleasure. I stopped mid-chew and they all watched me. I waited a beat for the teasing that I knew was coming.
"See? All a lass needs is a good hunk of dwarven meat!" Bofur cracked. I nearly choked on a mushroom and Fili pounded me on the back while he howled with laughter.
"Oh, no no," I said after a moment. "Remember. Bombur may have cooked it, but I shot it. Therefore, you are all enjoying *my* meat." I stopped then. "Wait.. .That sounded…"
But it was too late.
"Are you telling us you are not truly a woman?" Nori asked teasingly. "I am crushed!"
"Oh shut it," I muttered darkly as I chucked a mushroom at his head. He ducked and stuck his tongue out. I rolled my eyes, and we all settled down to finish our meal.
Bilbo, Bifur, and Balin set about cleaning up and I leaned back on my arms, watching them. Movement caught my eyes and I looked up to find Thorin standing a few feet away. He motioned me towards him and I thought for a moment about refusing. I let out a small frustrated sigh, stood, and followed him. We walked for a few minutes, now well clear of the others. He paused and looked at me.
"I wished to speak with you," I felt my blood begin to boil.
"Why? So you can tell me again how I don't belong?" I snapped, venom practically dripping from my words.
"I suppose I deserved that." He said softly, looking down for a moment.
"You are damn right you deserved that. You had NO right to speak to me like that. No right to fling harmful words at me just because you were having a shitty day. I have worked my ASS off to fit in with you all. I have bled for you, I have starved for you, and I would have given my LIFE to save your nephew, or anyone else. And what do you do? You throw it back in my face. Tell me again about how grateful you are. Tell me about how treacherous the elves are. They offered me a place among them with no hesitation and welcomed me with open arms. I did not have to fight tooth and nail to prove myself to them, which is a hell of a lot more than I could say of you," My shoulders heaved and he opened his mouth to speak.
"I am not finished! I am tired of you treating me like a second class citizen. I don't care how poorly you've been treated or how bitter you are. You are supposed to be a king, and instead you act like a petulant child, all alone in your misery. Like you are the only one without a home, or like you are the only one who has ever lost someone close to you. Look around, Thorin Oakenshield. Everyone has lost something.
"I have no home, for your information. No loved ones or friends. But have I complained once? No. I have sucked it up and soldiered on because I believed in you and I felt a duty to help where I could to restore your home in Erebor. I have given everything I have, and have asked for nothing, NOTHING, in return except for the same respect I have shown you.
"If you continue like this, acting like you are alone in the world and turning away everything and everyone, then you will, mark my words, end up just like your grandfather. Alone and trapped within the sickness of greed."
Thorin had stood silent while I yelled. I was so angry I was shaking, and now that I had said my piece, I fell silent, waiting for him to lash back out at me.
"I am sorry," His words were quite, hardly whispered. "You are correct. I had no right to speak to you thus. I took my gratitude to you for saving Kili and threw it back in your face. You have every right to be angry with me."
I was shocked, and suddenly all the rage in me faded. It was hard to stay angry at someone who sounded so broken, so tired. So sad.
"My kin adore you. My nephews, in particular, seem to think of you as a sister they never had, and I am truly sorry I made you doubt the fondness they have for you. It is a great sign of affection among my people to give another something we have crafted, or something of our own." He gestured towards the bracers I wore, then brought his eyes to meet mine. His eyes were soft and pleading.
"I will not ask for forgiveness, because I know I deserve it not." He finished.
We stared at each other for a long time.
"You have every right to refuse, but may I ask something of you?" He asked, his voice still so very soft and sad.
"What?" I asked, my voice clipped.
"I ask that we start over."
"A clean slate?" I asked, cocking my head to the side ever so slightly.
"I dare not ask for such. Merely, that we begin anew, and try to build between us the trust that you and my kin have already established so strongly."
I mulled this over for awhile. I was still angry, still hurt. But to have this proud and stubborn dwarf come to me and apologize so sincerely…. I realized how difficult this was for him. I chewed the inside of my cheek for a moment, then offered a low bow.
"Talya Conner, at your service."
"Thorin Oakenshield, at yours." He returned the bow, making the gesture so much more graceful that I managed.
He slowly stood straight, a bit of parchment now in his hand, along with a quill. He handed it to me wordlessly. I unfolded it to find the very contract that Bilbo had signed all those weeks ago in Bag End. The notable difference was the part where it stated "one-fourteenth' had been crossed out, and 'one-fifteenth' had been written in its place. In the column next to it were the initials of everyone in the company.
I felt a tingle up my spine and I looked at Thorin, wary.
"Don't offer this to me if you are going to throw it back in my face the next time you are in a bad mood."
"I give you my word." He clutched his fist to his chest, as if in oath. "Read it over and, if the terms are acceptable to you, sign it at the bottom."
Thorin bowed his head at me and started back to camp.
I stood there for a long time, looking down at the contract in my hands. I thought about our conversation and finally added my small signature to the bottom.
I slowly made my way back to the camp fire. By the awkward tension, I could tell that they had heard me yelling. It should have bothered me, but I felt too drained from my earlier anger to really care. Bilbo offered up a smile as I passed him, and I returned it.
Thorin sat on the ground, his legs out in front of him, his knees bent and his elbows resting on them. I stopped before him, and he raised his piercing blue eyes to meet my own. I held out the contract and he took it, glancing at my signature.
"Welcome, Talya Conner, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield."
Thoughts?