Date: TA 2941
Thorin: 195 years old
Lina: 192 years old
"Kili is anxious to be on his way to the hobbit's hole," Lina commented to Thorin, watching from the shadows as her youngest nephew bounced impatiently up and down on the balls of his feet.
"Of course he is," Thorin answered, checking his own armor and weapons for the last time.
Originally Fili and Kili would arrive at the hobbit's home with their uncle. Kili, however, was excited he had been allowed to go on the quest. He did not want to waste another moment in Belegost. Fili, on the other hand, was quite content to wait for his uncle. After all, he had someone to say good-bye to.
After the initial talking Lina had prodded Fili to do, the young dwarf had become quite attached to the female. The girl, Kitta, had become a close companion of Fili's over the last few years. There were whispers of a courtship among the dwarves of Belegost, but neither Kitta nor Fili had seen fit to confirm or deny the rumors. It was to Kitta that Fili was now speaking. Obviously the conversation was going on entirely too long for Kili. Though Lina could not hear the words, she was quite sure that Kili had just told Fili, "Let's go!"
Fili kept his attention on Kitta, though he had obviously heard his brother. Finally, to make his brother leave the two alone, Fili told Kili to wait outside the city gates. The younger dwarf made a face, but hefted his weapons and left. The young couple did not seem to realize Lina and Thorin were still standing to one side of the room, hidden in shadow. Lina felt almost guilty for watching them, but she could not tear her eyes away, her own heart aching at the pain on Kitta's face.
Kitta's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she whispered to Fili. His response sent one tear and then another spilling over onto her cheeks. Fili's shoulders slumped when he saw the pain Kitta was in. Cupping her face in his hands, he wiped what tears he could from her face. His mouth moved as he quietly tried to ease her pain. And then, slowly, hesitantly, he leaned in, lips just brushing Kitta's. Her eyes fluttered closed as Fili continued. The kiss deepened. Kitta's hands tightened into fists around handfuls of Fili's coat as she tried to hold herself upright.
Slowly, just as he had begun the kiss, Fili pulled back. Kitta stared up at him, her eyes roaming over his face. A small half smile tugged up one corner of Fili's mouth as he lowered his hands from her face. Taking two steps backward, but never taking his eyes from her face, Fili slung his twin swords across his back and lifted his pack onto his shoulder. Making a small bow in farewell, Fili spun on his heel and went to find Kili. Kitta stood stock still, staring after him until he'd disappeared. Then she too made her way out of the room.
Lina glanced over at Thorin. He was hunched over a map of the terrain they would be crossing on the journey. Nothing of the scene had captured his attention. For the sake of Kitta, Lina hoped that Fili made it back safely.
"Balin and Dwalin will meet you there then?" Lina asked, leaning back against the wall.
"When they had finished their business, they will. Dwalin is breaking off from the caravan he was escorting as they return from Evendim. Balin said he was stopping in Bree after returning from whichever settlement he had determined to visit. I'd imagine he'll beat me to the hobbit's house," Thorin informed her as he rolled the map into a tight cylinder.
"We have that meeting with Dain's envoy," Lina reminded him.
"Not for a while, I would guess. He's not even arrived yet," Thorin muttered. He'd sent word of the quest to Dain months ago, offering him a great deal if his cousin would aid in the quest. Judging by the speed of his reply, the fact his messenger had not yet arrived, Thorin did not expect any help to come from Dain Ironfoot.
"Even if the dwarves of the Iron Hills refuse to help, you will have the support of Kira's army and my band of fighters," Lina pointed out. She could sense her husband's frustration.
"Will Kira help us?" Thorin looked skeptical. Ever since Kira had left Belegost, Thorin had grown to distrust her.
"She left the city because she was suffocating here," Lina reminded him. "When I last saw her, she gave me her word to answer my call for aid. I have already sent a message to her and have received her response. I need only to journey north to the fortress and lead her army to wherever you need them."
Thorin grunted in response. This journey had put him on edge. Lina worried about him. He could handle physical danger easily, that was simple for him. What went on inside his mind was what frightened Lina the most. Thorin did not deal well with fools. Nor did he react well to those who did not understand exactly what he required of them. This journey would test his self-control and restraint more than any he'd ever been on. Usually Lina was able to temper his anger, but that task now rested solely on Balin. She doubted Balin had ever seen exactly what Thorin's anger looked like. She wondered if Thorin would be able to restrain his anger.
"You're worrying again," Thorin commented. He sat on the table edge. Grasping her hand, he pulled her close until she stood between his legs.
"What're you worrying about, Lina?" He caught her eyes with his, holding her captive much as he had done when they were quite young. Even so many years later, Lina found she could not look away when his gaze met hers.
"I'm worried about you."
"Explain?" His large hand came up to play with the braids at her temples, twisting them gently around his fingers. Still his eyes rested squarely on her, waiting for an answer.
"Already this journey has changed the way you think, the way you act. You are more short-tempered than you have been since the War. I worry for your safety when you are in a temper," she told him. His gaze darkened angrily for one brief moment. Thorin did not like his flaws being pointed out, by anyone.
"You are right," he answered finally, the darkness beginning to clear away. "I will do my best to control my temper."
"That's all I can ask," she answered. Lina placed a loving kiss on his nose.
"There you are, My Lord!" The messenger's voice broke their quiet moment apart.
"The envoy from the Iron Hills has arrived and is ready to meet with you in the audience chamber," the messenger finished. With a nod of understanding from Thorin, the dwarf departed, leaving the couple alone once more.
"It seems he arrived rather sooner than we'd anticipated," Lina muttered sarcastically. Thorin smiled drily and began making his way up to the audience chamber, Lina beside him.
An hour later Thorin stormed from the chamber. Lina had to hurry to keep up with his long strides. The meeting had gone worse than Lina had imagined it would. Not only had Dain refused to send any troops to support Thorin, he had managed to add what seemed, to Thorin especially, to be a bit of an insult. He had offered to help Thorin with troops if, and only if, Thorin was able to reclaim Erebor. If Lina hadn't known Dain's reputation as a fair and just leader, she would think him a coward, hoping for his cousin's death so that he might become King of Durin's Folk. Whatever his game was, it was frustrating to Lina and infuriating to Thorin.
Lina caught up to Thorin as he entered their bedroom. In his anger, he nearly slammed the door in her face.
"Thorin!" she cried indignantly. Immediately he turned, having forgotten for a moment that she was following him. He stopped and held the door open for her. Lina waited as he closed the door.
"I apologize," he said, finally turning to face his wife.
"We are all nervous about this quest, Thorin," she whispered placing a hand on his cheek. "Please, for my sake, don't let your temper get the better of you."
A sheepish smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, he'd already broken his early promise to control his temper. Thorin wondered who would draw his ire first once the company set out from the Shire. It seemed Lina was the only one who could quell his rage long enough for it to fade. They stood looking at one another in silence for a long moment.
"I wish you were staying with me," he told her finally, tugging her body against his. His hands began running up and down her body, trying to memorize every curve for the days and weeks they would spend apart.
"I wish I was too, but Kira will only answer if I go in person," she answered. Her eyes closed as an involuntary shiver ran up her spine, arching her against her husband.
"You're cheating," she growled, trying to ignore the sensations his hands were causing.
"So I am," he responded with a laugh.
Had Thorin left as soon as the meeting with Dain's envoy had ended, he would have arrived at the hobbit's house with Bifur, Bofur, Bomber, Ori, Dori, and Nori, or shortly thereafter. As it was, he had to find some excuse to explain away his tardiness. It wasn't until much later that he realized just how bad it sounded for the leader of such an expedition to say he'd gotten lost on the way to a hobbit's hole. Twice. When the door was large and plainly marked.
For Lina, their parting marked the return of the dreams. As she tried to sleep, the warm darkness returned, wrapping around her like a blanket. This night she saw nothing. But what she heard sent chills through her body and raised the hair on the back of her neck. The low hum of her husband's voice seemed to come from all around her, rising and falling as he began to sing. Other voices joined in. Lina could not help but add her voice to theirs. The longing in their voices mirrored her own. The determination she heard gave her hope. Perhaps this quest could succeed.
For one brief night, the fear of what was to come, of what could happen, vanished.
A/N: First, a huge thank you to everyone who has been reading and reviewing. You guys are awesome! Second, don't forget to check out the tumblr for this story. I post extras there as well as updates I'm not able to post on fanfiction. The link is on my profile page. Third, I'm sorry for the short chapters. The way I had this chapter mapped out, it would have been longer, but it was not flowing the way I'd intended. So I broke it into two chapters. Once I reach a natural stopping point, I end the chapter. Otherwise it ends up horribly disjointed and painful to read. Anyway, thank for reading and have a great weekend!