Hello again! This chapter is sorta rushed but I wanted to get these things out of the way and get to the good stuff! Thank you to everyone who reviews and reads my story; please check out killthepain62's story Welcome Home when you get the chance! It'll give you a difference perspective of things.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit; I do however own my characters and the art I do for the series.
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Erebor
"What?" Lian blanched, baffled by her families sudden outburst; it took her a split second to realize what they must be thinking. After all she had always been painfully clear that she wasn't going to marry any man around here less her legs be chopped off; so she can only imagine their surprise to find that she had a baby.
"Lvaire, you never told us Lian married! When did this happen? To whom was it to?" Uncle Tundain bombarded his brother with questions on the matter while Aunt Villox flocked her to coo over Rowan like many others did. Kelik and Sampson stood off to the side awkwardly, they didn't know how to react to this new discovery; they'd always roughhoused with Lian, she was practically another boy. Now she's a mother and wife? It felt improper to treat her the same as they always have.
"Hey, hey! I'm not married!" Lian shouted, trying to regain control of the spiraling situation; already she could feel the chaos brewing up like a powerful thunderstorm.
"A child out of wedlock?!"
"Lvaire, how could you let this happen?!"
"Who is the father?"
"It's not what you think-."
"Stop!" Lian finally snapped, beyond irked by the sudden accusations spewing from their mouths. "I'm not married nor did I give birth to a bastard child!"
"Then what is the meaning of this?" Aunt Villox asked.
"I saved this child from the flames of Smaug; it was her mother's dying wish. So though she may not be my own flesh and blood; she is my daughter now." She set her jaw stubbornly, prepared for any sort of objections but all they did was share puzzled looks with one another.
"Smaug? The dragon?" Uncle Tundain sent a baffled look towards him but her father only sighed and walked over to take a seat at Lian's desk. Aunt Villox was sitting beside Lian on her bed looking back and forth between Rowan and her.
"I heard that Thorin Oakensheild and a small group of dwarves reclaimed the Lonely Mountain from Smaug but I had no idea you were their when it happened. What business did you have on the east side of the Misty Mountains?" Uncle Tundain inquired with a look of awe on his course features.
"Lian was our business there; she was apart of the group looking to reclaim the mountain; the rest of us were only there to bring Lian back." Lvaire answered, looking rather tired as he ran a calloused hand over his worn features: thirty minutes into the visit and he already felt exhausted
"You where there with Thorin Oakensheild?!" Kelik exclaimed, pushing with Sampson to reach the woman; they'd long forgotten modesty around the woman now.
"Did you talk with him much? Did you know him well?" Sampson asked, they were the epitome of star-struck with wide eyes staring down at her. Rowan shining blue orbs were looking between the two men and her until her Aunt Villox stole her attention away by slipping her out of Lian's lap. No doubt she knew her boys would forget there was a child there and be their normal barbarous selves.
"Know him? She's written him nearly every day since we've got back; I'd say she's knows him more than most." Lvaire chimed in, a look of mirth in his green eyes when his daughter's cheeks began to glow a deep red; a father could never pass up an opportunity to embarrass his child.
"What?!" Her two cousins blanched and Lian wanted so bad to throw something at her father; he didn't have to tell them that! They could have just stayed blissfully unaware of her connections to Thorin for both her and his sake.
"It's nothing! I mean I write the other dwarves too; right?" She directed the question at her dad, glaring daggers into his skull but he still had that twinkle in his eye that made her stomach bottom out.
"Aye but not nearly as much as Thorin." He chuckled, the corner of his eyes crinkling as his grin widened, showing off the dimples in his cheeks along with his pearly whites. She was never going to trust her father to get her out of these kinds of predicaments again; especially when he was the one antagonizing it!
"How about you tell the name of this darling little thing?" Aunt Villox asked, successfully changing the subject and Lian gave her a grateful look as her aunt bounced Rowan up and down on her lap. The child began to giggle and blow raspberries, saliva bubbling down her chin and smearing on her chubby cheeks, apparently it was her favorite pastime.
"Rowan." Lian told her, smiling at the child tenderly as she giggle and squealed in her aunts hands.
"What a pretty name that is." The older woman cooed, rubbing the tip of her nose against Rowan's smaller one; who brought her small hand up to wipe a slobbery hand on the woman's face.
"Sorry." Lian quickly took the giggling Rowan from her aunt who rubbed the slobber off her cheek with a light cringe.
"Don't worry, the boys used to wipe worse on me when they were children." She laughed, Rowan still blowing raspberries out and soaking the front of her dress in drool. Lvaire was chuckling at the desk while Kelik and Sampson plopped down in the two armchairs facing the fireplace leaving uncle Tundain to look a bit lost.
"So when do you leave?" Her aunt asked, causing her uncle to open his mouth to interject his objection but a sharp look from his wife silenced him.
"In about an hour." Lian replied, standing up to grab an extra outfit from her wardrobe as she decided to bring one for the warmer weather. She wasn't fazed in continuing her business in front of all of her family or embarrassed by them lounging around in her chambers; when it came to them, her room was like another common room. Her father attempted to help her pack before Uncle Tundain arrived but she was pretty sure that was an excuse to talk, she knew how her father felt about her leaving again. He tried to act like it didn't bother him for her sake but she knew he was probably full of knots. She would stay if this wasn't so important to her, though she was irked with Thorin her heart was practically doing flips at the thought of seeing him again.
"So soon, I wish we could visit more: it's been so long." Aunt Villox frowned, watching Lian pack her things while holding Rowan on her hip; already she had learned how to multi-task with a baby.
"I know but it would be rude if we denied it; I do not want to get on the bad side of Thor- I mean the dwarves. Plus Gordon is bringing his wife and child along so that's something I need to be on top of or who knows what will happen. Then ya have Martha who is probably going to bring half the castle along with her." Lian rambled, running a hasty hand through her hair in frustration. It felt like she was going to be babysitting everyone on this trip; Martha may be the one who took part in raising her but she had no experience out in the wild. She felt like the roles were switched around; the people who babysat her where now being the ones babysat.
"Do you want me to send Stevvin with you?" Her father asked, a look of concern on his worn features; she was sure that would make him feel better but she had a feeling Stevvin wasn't going to like these plans. He would be a huge help though, he could wipe anyone into shape and she was seriously considering saying yes.
"Only-and only- if he agrees on his own terms; which means not friendly favors!" She said, silently hoping he'd agree but if not; she'll have to deal.
"Well here's an idea; how about we go with you?" Uncle Tundain chimed in, wearing a grin the size of Middle-Earth as everyone in the room gave in a bewildered look.
"Tundain!" Villox scolded.
"What? They need more able body people, which the boys and I are without exception; we'll get to spend more quality time together as a family as well!" He tried to reason but his logic was rather sloppy.
"What about your brother?! Did you even consider that maybe he wants to spend more time with you?" Her aunt shot but her husband didn't even waver in his resolve.
"I'm sure he'll be super busy with running the kingdom and so on; he won't miss us and besides, he'll see us when we come back, right Lvaire?"
Her father had a mixture of emotions on his face, none which you could quite put a finger on but soon enough it settled on a rather sullen expression. "Whatever you want."
"Perfect! We'll be waiting for everyone at the main gates; we need to stop by the market." With that Uncle Tundain was out the door with his two sons following sluggishly behind him with scowls; they obviously wanted to relax longer. Aunt Villox hesitantly stood and gave them a halfhearted smile before exiting as well; it was all quiet now as Lian stood with Rowan by her bed while her father slumped back in his chair.
"Are ya really okay with this?" Lian broke the silence, facing her father for her answer but he just ran a hand over his worn features.
"I've learned to pick my battles when they're most needed." He replied, an almost sour look on his face that didn't quiet belong there.
"But yer not okay with it. Why must ya always let him have his way?" She huffed, tucking the last of her things in her bag before plopping down on her bed.
"Because it's easier to let it just happen then to argue with him, Lian. Everything turns out better that way." He bit out before sighing. "I'm sorry; I just don't like to discuss the problem between me and my brother."
"Well yer going to have to one day, things are not meant to be kept bury for so long." She gave him knowing look before she picked up her bag and left her chambers. She had to visit the stables to make sure everything was ready and to tell them prepare three more horses; the horses her family came here on would be too tired to ride. Gordon was bringing his own horses for the trip so there was no need to prepare any for him and his wife.
The hour flew by and before Lian knew it she was mounted and ready to go with everyone else; Stevvin had thankfully agreed to come along, taking some of the weight off her shoulders. Rowan was strapped tightly against Lian's stomach, chubby thighs dangling on either side of her hips as she slobbered all over her fingers.
"Make sure to take care of him, he's a mess without someone around to look after him." She half-heartedly jested to Luke and Nellia in regard to her father; they were Stevvin's replacement while they were gone. She knew they'd be fine but she couldn't help but grow worrisome every day, ever since that death scare she had been adamant on keeping her father as healthy as possible. Taking Stevvin along was like chopping off his right arm.
"I'll be fine!" Lvaire grumbled, a bit annoyed that she was talking as if he wasn't there; you'd think she was his mother.
"Uh-hu, just remember to pay no more than five gold pieces for each barrel of grain; Thorin told me that they're trying to raise the asking prices in smaller towns. And don't go any lower than seven gold pieces on the fur; we have a huge supply of polar bear this year." She chided him, knowing he was easily persuaded when it came to prices; too damned nice for his own good.
"I know, woman! Now go on!" He huffed, waving her off with a subtle glint in his eye; he almost looked like he was about to shed a tear but he stubbornly putting up a carefree attitude in front of his brother.
"I'll be back before ya even realize I'm gone." She gave him a lopsided grin before turning to be off before Uncle Tundain's impatience drove him mad. Martha was clumsily trying to balance herself on the saddle of her mount and knew she'd probably be worse off than Bilbo when it came to riding a horse. Stevvin was in the front with his usual soured expression while Uncle Tundain blabbered away beside him; Villox nestled in front of her Hulking husband. Lian was glad they had such stout horses to carry that massive load on its back; her uncle looked like her could break a mares back in two when he road.
Lian had a dreaded feeling that this was going to be a long trip.
"Lian!"
Said woman cringed at the sharp yelp from her chambermaid, she had to give the woman credit; she wasn't taking it as bad as Lian thought she would but it was still dreadful. She had gotten poison ivy the first week when they cleared the icy planes of Forochel and had been mortified at the fact that she had to bathe outside. Gordon's wife was taking it far better and mostly stuck to her husband without wandering. Stevvin and Martha were the worst companions to have together; they argued almost night and day, turning both of their faces a bright red in their rage. It seemed like everything about the other offended them in some manner; they'd barely ever gone around each other in all the years they'd been working in the palace, having only heard of each other or meeting briefly.
"What does that blasted woman want now?!" Stevvin snapped, obviously put out by the sound of her calls; you'd think every matter was a life or death situation.
"Just calm down, I'll check." Lian sighed, standing up and away from the small campfire they had built; dry-rotted logs being used for both firewood and seats. Uncle Tundain was out with Sampson and Kelik getting food while Aunt Villox sat with Nora and the two children by the fire.
They had passed over the Misty Mountain Range earlier that day to prevent any possible midnight attacks from the nasty goblins dwelling there; it's been nearly three weeks since they left Forochel it had been a smooth transition from point A to point B. They stopped more for the women and children though; no one thought it bothersome other than Stevvin who almost always in a bad mood due to Martha. With every passing day Lian was growing more anxious the closer they grew to the mountain, her heart nearly leapt out of her chest when she first saw the faint outline of the Lonely Mountain. It brought back so many memories and she had taken the time to appreciate the view since she had been in too much pain and a hurry to take it in the last time she saw it.
"What is it-." Lian started as she rounded a boulder in the forest but stopped when she was met with a petrified Martha's big brown eyes staring up at her in terror. She stood with a large serpent coiled around her feet, hissing loudly as its forked tongue tasted the air around it. Martha let out a small whimper when she felt the thickly scaled flesh brush against her calf and her legs were visibly trembling though she was trying to stay as still as possible.
"Don't. Move." The younger woman said, attempting to step a bit closer but the snake lunged at her when she got too close for it's liking; tightening it's coil around Martha's ankles. She let out a choked sob as her face turned a scarlet color; she looked on the brink of a panic attack but she was impressed that she managed to keep it together this long and not attempt to run off when she saw the creature.
"Stevvin." Lian called evenly, not wanting to startle the snake and cause it to possibly lash out on Martha. She had no real conformation on whether it was poisonous or not; most poisonous snakes had pointed heads with a large head and thin neck. She couldn't get a look at its tale under the mounds of coils on settled around Matha's feet but she had a pretty good idea that it wasn't poisonous; damned snake looked like it could take down a full grown man with the rows of razor shape teeth lining the inside of its mouth. She didn't blame Martha one bit for being scared out of her wits, just looking at it made her stomach do flips.
"Stevvin!" She called a bit more demanding and she heard the said man let out a loud curse, he stomped over and looked like he was ready to give her an earful but she quickly signaled for him to be quiet and slowly advance. His sour expression turned serious and he slowly rounded the corner and instantly caught site of the huge snake mere feet away with Martha wrapped up in its long meaty body.
"Dear lord!" He exclaimed, obviously just as shocked as she was to discover this big boy; both had never seen a snake so large in their life, hardly any snakes at all as a matter of fact.
"P-p-please help." Martha sobbed, looking about five years younger in her state of terror; tears welling up and falling from her lashes as her brown eyes stared wide and afraid. You wouldn't think this was the same women who had helped raise Lian; usually she was as stubborn as a boot and acted like one too.
"Stand very…no!" Lian shouted.
Martha had shifted under the snakes coils, causing it to instinctively lash out and lock its jaws around her calve. She let out a shriek and Lian quickly pulled out her axe and slammed it down at the base of the snake's neck; successfully detaching its head from its body but it had already gotten Martha.
"Calm down!" Stevvin growled with a thrashing Martha in his burly arms but she seemed to be in too much pain to listen to him.
"Please! Please! I don't want to die; get it off me!" She hyperventilated, shaking from head to toe as her body attempted to go into shock more from her fear than the actual wound.
"Calm her down, Stevvin!" Lain yelled, taking the top and bottom jaw as she began to try and pry them open but the snakes jaws were almost locked in place. She wasn't strong enough to do this, Stevvin would have to.
"What's going on?!" Aunt Villox asked, rounding the corner with Nora but Stevvin barked for them to stay put. The two women gasped when they saw the serpent head attached to Martha's calve; the snake had caught the edge of the woman's dress in its jaws so Lian was working on tearing that away so they could see the wound properly.
"Go boil some hot water and prepare a bed roll for her." She told the two women who gave a quick nod before they scurried off; both Rowan and the other child, Tara, in their arms.
"I can't get the snakes jaws open, Stevvin. Switch me places." Lian grunted as she gave one last attempt to pry the unmoving jaws open. The man quickly switched her places so she could try and soothe Martha; it would be very bad for her to go into shock.
"Calm down, shhhh. Yer fine, Martha." Lian said.
"I'm…I'm going...to die." Martha wheezed, her knuckles turning white as she fisted the skirt of her dress tightly in pain.
"Ya aren't going to die, it's just a bite." She shushed the woman until she let out another shriek of pain.
"The damned teeth are curved in!" Stevvin ground out; obviously having a trouble keeping the jaws open even with his own strength.
"Martha, I'm going to need ya to push yer leg deeper into the snake's mouth." Lian explained slowly to the woman but that was a bad idea as her eyes began to roll into the back of her head as soon as it came out of her mouth.
"Damn it! We're losing her! Get ready to pry those jaws as far open as possible." She barked, taking the woman leg and slowly sliding it against the curved teeth until the flesh caught underneath them came free. "Now!" Stevvin gave a loud grunt as he pried the snakes jaws open to almost an impossible amount as she quickly pulled Martha's leg out; the tiny bite marks bleeding from several puncture wounds.
The jaws came back with a sharp snap as Stevvin released the dead snake, they had no time to feel relieved though as they carried Martha back to camp in a hurry. Nora and Aunt Villox were scurrying around preparing everything when they entered the small clearing; they laid Martha down as her skin began to turn a ghostly white color.
"Get some cold water now! Quick!" Lian ordered and within seconds she was being handed a bucket of water straight out of the river a few feet away. "Sorry, Martha." And with that she threw about half of the bucket in the woman's face.
Martha shot up with a loud gasp, wide brown eyes darting everywhere as she let out loud shaky breaths; she looked like a soaked cat but the water had done its purpose. She began to sputter as she tried to for coherent words but none could pass the jumbling of her tongue and lips, Lian slowly laid the woman back down on the soaked bedroll.
"This is going to sting." Stevvin warned as he began to pour whisky on the wounds but he only got a whimper from her as she remained in somewhat of a daze. Stevvin poured some warm water into the wound after a few minutes before applying bandages to the bite with thick goo slathered on the inside.
"She'll be fine now; she's lucky that beast didn't snap her shin." Stevvin grumbled as he began to clean up the mess. Martha was out before he could even finish; slipping into a deep slumber from exhaustion. Lian sat back with a sigh; things were a bit more complicated now due to this new predicament. Uncle Tundain and the boys didn't get back until sunset with dinner, having caught a few rabbits but this was fine since they now had a fat snake to eat as well.
They traveled on with Martha and Stevvin sharing a horse since she wasn't capable of riding her own now; causing for an uncomfortable tension between the two though they didn't argue like usual. Lian felt like her chest was going to explode from anxiety; her stomach was doing flips and trembling the whole way to the mountain. They had cleared the Mirkwood forest and would probably reach the mountain right before sundown; they had to, today was the first day of spring.
Sampson, Kelik and Gordon were babbling on in excitement; they were thrilled to be able to see the dwarven kingdom and Gordon was thrilled to show his family. Uncle Tundain and Aunt Villox were marveling at the scenery while Stevvin and Martha still sat in their own tense silence.
Lian felt like butterflies were crashing about in her stomach rather than fluttering; her palms were sweaty, mouth dry and she almost felt sick to her stomach with nerves. She didn't even know what she was nervous about; I mean it's just Thorin and…all of his kin. Never mind, she was terrified of embarrassing Thorin in front of his kin; he'd be embarrassed to be around her. She's a walking joke even if you stuck her in a dress and slapped some paint on her face; she didn't know how to act like a lady and had never cared to until now.
They drew closer and closer to the entrance to the mountain until Lain could practically see the grand stairs in the Entry Hall through the open gates; you could tell they had already done massive work on re-building the place and it looked like it had never been destroyed at all. Stone statues of Dwarven kings stood on either side of the bride and reached past the top watch point above them; she swallowed the bile rising in the back of her throat as they unmounted and finally crossed the threshold to entered Erebor.
Martha and Stevvin be like: (ó ì_í)=óò=(ì_í ò)