Hello friends.
I was trying to get an update to you as soon as possible. We are wrapping part 1 up quick. Im thinking maybe 3-4 chapters remain for Best of Intentions.
I hope this chapter was worth the wait.
Again, thank you all for the continued support and reviews. It means the world to be as a writer.
3 happy reading trails.
Several weeks later…
Thorin sat at the head of the massive table, watching the council members before him. The exhaustion he felt was deep and settled within his very bones, yet his eyes were keen as he studied each member, noting the ones who seemed less likely to support his wishes of integration.
Every single member of the company were present, Fili and Kili directly to his left while Dwalin and Balin were directly to his right. Gloin, Nori, Bifur and Bofur were opposite of Dain, Dori, Oin, Bombur and Ori, facing each other directly. They were in full and unyielding support of their King and Queen, voicing strongly their agreement that the White Kingdom should become one with Erebor.
All eyes, most slanted and dark with suspicion and thinly veiled disgust, towards Markos and his chosen few representing the White Kingdom. Marko's grey wolf was at rest by his side, head up and ears perked forward, as if aware of the glares that were being passed its way.
"How do we know that this is not a ruse of theirs to overthrow the line of Durin from the inside?" An older Dwarrow, his peppered hair and beard was long and expertly braided with polished beads of gold. "The Queen, not once shared the important details of how large their army was or how strongly opposed her kingdom was to her union to our King." Brulin had been the first of the many nobles from Ered Luin to make the journey to take a place on the council. He held a lot of power in both trade and politics much to Thorin's irritation. He was much too assured of his standing, and he had never held his distaste of Thorin's One fully contained. He had always hoped that his daughter, Lady Briela, would have captured Thorin's attention.
That plan had failed abysmally. He couldn't argue or oppose the divine pairing of Ones, so he begrudgingly swore his fealty to Mistlynn as his Queen. However, his snide remarks and subtle sneers at the mere mention of Mistlynn had worn Thorin's patience thin.
"I'd be careful of where that thought might lead you, Brulin." Thorin's growl rumbled through the room with a heavy clarity. "If I didn't know better you were accusing your Queen of treason without any proof to back up that reckless accusation. "
The room buzzed with varied mutterings of anger and bitter agreement. Thorin's gaze was dark and lethal as he stared down Brulin who returned his stare challengingly. This was exactly what he had been worried about. He knew that this kind of talk had been brewing ever since Valinn had admitted to the raids of their mining towns, just another reason to add to their dislike of Mistlynn.
The majority of Erebor was supportive of their Queen, and Thorin's standing on the matter of the White Kingdom, but there were the few that were spreading their negativity and discontent like a slowly rotting disease. "Their so-called fealty is as fickle as the wind. Their loyalty lies only with themselves, they are no better than those savage dogs they rode in on." Brulin flashed his teeth in a rebellious sneer.
Thorin's fist clenched so tight that his rings began to cut into the sides of his fingers. He didn't blink once as his eyes became menacing slits; his head tilted to the side as he seemed to consider Brulin in a new light.
He was a new threat.
Shouts of outrage erupted around the room erupted as dwarves jumped up from their seats and began to yell and gesture back and forth. Thorin saw the looks of outrage on his nephews and friends faces, however they kept their responses amongst themselves.
Dain's face was red with outrage as he slowly stood from his seat, his finger pointed directly at Brulin, "Menu shirumund rakhas tumbin!" He spat, much to the shock of the dwarf he insulted. Brulin's face took on the shade of a deep purple, shocked that a royal member would insult him in such an unruly manner.
It was then the big doors opened forcefully, immediately silencing the room as everyone turned to look and see who it was that interrupting.
Markos and his chosen warriors immediately kneeled; their heads bowed in respect as Mistlynn stepped through the threshold, Luna limping slowly at her side.
She was dressed in a gown so dark a blue it nearly appeared black, clasps and thread of silver lined the bodice. Tiny beads of diamond glittered from where they were clustered tightly along with top of the bodice before cascading down her hips and the billowing skirt of the gown like star fall in the dead of a cold winters night. Her crown, the intricate companion of the Kings Raven Crown, was sat regally upon her head. Braids of varying sizes and shapes wrapped around her head while the other half of her hair was free and glowing platinum curls that hung loose down over her back. She held her head high, her hands clasped firmly in front of her as she surveyed the room before her, considering each occupant carefully.
Thorin stood from his seat, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "M'eudail." The whisper fell from his lips.
Her gaze softened when she looked at him, and she dipped her chin in his direction. Thorin pushed his seat back and walked to her quickly. "What are you doing here?" his tone was urgent, yet gentle as his eyes scanned over her.
"I am taking accountability of my family's mess. It is not yours to shoulder but mine. You were right, I am their Queen, I need to start acting like it." Her voice was unwavering, and Thorin fought to hide the rush of relief he felt surge through him. It had been so long since he had seen her fire, burning bright within her like a northern star.
"I dont want you to strain yourself." Thorin whispered as he took a step closer so that only she could hear. As he spoke, he looked at Luna who was sitting beside Mistlynn, protective and alert as always. She had noticed that Thorin was looking at her and she wagged her tail subtly on the floor. He brushed his hand fondly over her head and massaged one of her ears, eliciting disapproving murmurs from the meddlesome councilmembers that had just made themselves known.
Mistlynn's eyes narrowed towards them. "I have had enough time to heal. I will not leave you alone in this a moment longer." She placed a hand on his arm before she stepped towards Markos and those kneeling with him.
"Rise, please. I have much to thank you for Markos. Thorin has informed me of all that you have done while I have been recovering. I am indebted to you." Mistlynn nodded graciously towards him.
"My Queen, It has been an honor to be of service. I want our people to thrive after all these years of hardship and neglect." Markos kept his gaze down on the floor, pointedly ignoring the heated glares from the rest of the room.
Mistlynn's eyes snapped back up towards the rest of the room. "I am not as naïve to think that all that has occurred these past months has had no ill repercussions to my character here in Erebor. However, I will not tolerate you disrespecting my people who have bled and sacrificed to keep their families safe due to the shortcomings of my family. Nor will I allow you to disrespect my husband and King, who has done nothing but rule this kingdom honorably and safeguard your spineless backs as you sat in this mountain cowering at the first sign of trouble."
She raised her hand and pointed at Brulin, who was looking at her with thinly veiled disdain. "You couldn't forge a spoon even if it was handed to you molten and already poured into a mold. You have done nothing but instigate and sneak around sowing your seeds of decay ever since I stepped into this kingdom." Gasps echoed around the table, both of glee and shock.
"In case it has escaped your tiny, incompetent minds, I have at my disposal an army of at least 45,000 strong, not including the 8000 dire wolves and riders." Mistlynn turned back to face Thorin, her burning eyes of emerald fire meeting his stormy gaze unflinchingly. "As the Queen of the White Kingdom, I hereby pledge to you, my King and Lord husband, the entirety of my army and every resource at my disposal. Everything that is mine to give in this life and in the next is yours."
Thorin blinked in shock as she slowly kneeled before him, her eyes not once leaving his face. His mouth opened slightly, but she cut him off before he could say anything.
The murmurings around them grew as all eyes were on them. Markos and his men followed their Queen's lead and kneeled as well. "I must beg your forgiveness, my King, for not informing you of my Kingdom's standing on political and tactical fronts. I was not aware of the strife that was occurring within King Valo's council, or of the fact Valinn was so unstable and lost in his own delusions. If I had thought the White Kingdom was of any threat to Erebor or any other Dwarven Kingdom in the alliance I would have informed you immediately, without hesitation."
The room grew still, the silence loud after she finished speaking.
Thorin swallowed thickly, his throat bobbing as he fought to keep his expression passive. He took a step forward so that he could place a hand under her chin, her gaze still on his. His other hand reached for her hand and helped her stand once again, his fingers softly caressing the point of her chin. "You are my Queen. You bow to no one. Not even to me."
Her breath hitched at his words. Not once looking away from her, his voice rumbled through the silent room like thunder. "Leave us."
The sound of chairs scraping the floor as they were pushed back echoed loudly in the room, accompanied by mumblings of awe and disbelief as the councilmembers filed out quickly one by one. Markos and his men stood and nodded in respect before turning and walking out as well. Mistlynn saw the approving nods and knowing smiles of their friends and family from over Thorin's shoulder as he stood still before her, his heated eyes not once leaving her.
She heard Fili whistle for Luna to follow him out of the room, as he and Dwalin shut the massive doors behind them. They were now alone in the massive hall.
Mistlynn gulped, her steely nerve melting under his molten gaze. She blinked rapidly and licked her lips.
Had she done and said the wrong thing?
"Thorin, I…" She began before gasping as his mouth descended upon hers, swallowing her words whole and stealing her breath.
He grabbed her by the back of her legs and lifted her up so that he could carry her towards the edge of the table. His lips did not once leave hers as he continued to devour her. She returned the kiss eagerly, nearly desperate as she fisted the fabric of his jacket tightly, her knuckles white at the exertion of her vicelike grip. His hands wrenched the skirt of her dress up as he sat her down, so that the stockings on her legs were on full display as he stepped in-between them. One hand continued to travel up, pushing her skirt up even higher to bare her thigh before grabbing her by her hip and pulled her flush with his front.
His other hand came up behind her head, his fingers burying themselves into her silky curls. She moaned into his mouth as her tongue twisted with his before he pulled back, his kiss swollen lips descending onto her jaw, nipping and sucking little marks into her skin as he moved slowly down her neck as she arched into him.
"Thorin." She gasped his name as she wrapped an arm around his neck and gripped his shoulder. "Y-You're not upset?"
"God's M'eudail, no! I love you. I love you so much, my Goddess. My Queen." He whispered reverently against her neck, his breath hot against the tingle of open mouth kisses that made her skin prickle and spark with heightened sensitivity.
She whimpered at his onslaught, not from pain but from the rushing tide of pleasure that flooded through her. "G-gods, Thorin, please." She rocked her hips against his, no longer caring how wanton she appeared to be. "I-I need you. Now."
He groaned at her words, pulling his mouth away from her flushed neck back up to her kiss swollen lips. His lips moved languidly against hers. "I don't think that is a good idea. You're still healing." His hand came up to brush the curls that escaped her braids from the side of her face, his fingertips light against the soft skin of her cheekbone.
Her eyes flashed in irritation as she groaned at his words. "I am perfectly fine and capable of handling your attentions. Besides, you started this." Her hands moved down his front, grasping his shirt and pulling it out of the confines of his pants.
He huffed out a laugh as he watched her, his eyes glazed and heated as he felt her hands travel up and down his abs and chest before returning back down to loosen the laces to his trousers. "Would you like to move this to our chambers or are you wanting to break in this table as well." He nuzzled right at the spot beneath her ear that he knew would make her keen the moment his teeth grazed the delicate skin there.
She couldn't help the frustrated moan that escaped her, her hips shifting up into him eager to feel the friction only his body could provide. "It's only fitting after dealing a verbal thrashing to troublesome council members that are grossly overreaching."
His attention moved from her neck down her collarbone and to her heaving chest. The warmth of his breath made her shiver as he placed tender kisses across her chest, his beard teasing her pale skin into a pretty pink flush. "It won't be the last we hear of it, I am afraid. Brulin and his cronies are like damn wargs with a bone. He will be back with another wild hare he will demand he chase."
She wrapped her legs around his hips, pulling him flush against her while trapping him in the cradle of her thighs. She ignored the slight twinge in her muscles at the movement. She hadn't realized how desperate she had been for his touch until after he told her she was to bow to no one, including him. He empowered her.
She needed to feel something stronger than the guilt and pain that had been consuming her since she woke up from the battle with Valinn. He was the only one who could give her what she craved, what she needed to piece herself back together again.
"Let him." She whispered against his mouth before she bit down gently on his bottom lip. She buried her hands into his hair and pulled his face down closer to her so that she could deepen the kiss. He followed her willingly as he wrapped an around her waist to pull her impossibly closer, so that no space was left between them.
"As my Queen commands." His husky whisper made her toes curl in anticipation as she yielded to him, melting under his heated touch as her body came alive.
Several days later…
Erebor had been alive and nearly bursting with the sudden influx of inhabitants. There were a large amount of her people, mostly family groups, that were preparing to leave with Dain and his convey back to the Iron Hills to begin anew.
Their days had been filled with taking accounts of all the family names and groups while combining the historical accounts that had been salvaged on the trek inland towards the Lonely Mountain. Balin, Dis and Ori had overseen the majority of the record keeping, while Mistlynn, Thorin, Fili and Kili had worked with Markos to get everyone else settled.
It was tiring yet rewarding, feeling as if she was finally doing something for the better, not only for her people, but herself. She was helping heal centuries of misunderstanding and pain, and it was beginning to feel like she was closing in on a feeling that felt a lot like peace. She was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and she was eager to reach it, for her life to go back to its new normal. She was eager to put all that pertained to the White Kingdom behind her once and for all.
She had been working with Marko's, helping finalize the list of families leaving for the Iron Hills when Dis had come to get her. High ranking nobles from a dwarven clan far East were seeking an audience with Thorin, which was an anomaly on such short notice. Dis didn't seemed worried about their surprise visit, while Mistlynn couldn't help but feel uneasy about more unexpected visitors.
Thorin had told her about his meeting with the seven Dwarf Lords along with their councils before his fateful quest to retake Erebor, and the silence from the Blacklock and Stonefoot clans made him suspicious in regard to where their allegiance truly lay.
"They hail from where in Arda?" Mistlynn inquired in a low voice as she walked alongside Dis towards the main meeting hall.
"The Blacklock's main city is a close kept secret; they will only meet outside of their kingdom to safeguard it. All we know is that they are somewhere in the mountain ranges of Rhun."
"Is it not odd for them to just show up unannounced?" Mistlynn couldn't keep the skepticism from her tone.
"It is. But Daruuk is an honest dwarrow, he has always been courteous towards our people and hasn't shied away from voicing his respect for Thorin." Dis offered Mistlynn a comforting smile.
"He didn't offer Thorin aid in taking Erebor back. Only was the only one to help in the end, was he not?" Mistlynn tried to keep judgement out of her voice as she tried to piece together the vast history of dwarven politics she had to learn in such a short time.
Dis nodded patiently. "Yes, Dain was the only one in the end. But Daruuk was quick to send word that his own family issues had interfered with his ability to offer aid. I have a feeling this visit pertains to those issues."
Mistlynn couldn't help but wrinkle her nose in distaste at the mention of familial issues. "Relieved to know my family wasn't the only one to experience issues, as you so eloquently put it."
Dis bit back a chuckle. "Not even the most peaceable of families are without strife, Mist."
Mistlynn snorted but chose to not say anything else as they drew close to the meeting hall. She couldn't think of anything that wasn't purely dripping with sarcasm and Dis didn't deserve to bear the brunt of her cynicism.
Dis looked over at her as if she could hear the thoughts running through her head. "One day at a time, dear heart. Remember that." She smiled encouragingly at her as she reached over to give her hand a quick squeeze. "You will find Daruuk intriguing, I'm sure. He always has the most beautiful stories to tell."
Mistlynn gave Dis a reserved smile as she nodded in reply. She could hear the deeper tone of Thorin's voice from the other side of the doorway. He sounded relaxed, perfectly at ease with whoever he was speaking to. That gave her some measure of comfort.
Dis walked through the doorway, a genuine smile on her face as she announced their arrival. "Daruuk. You look well." She greeted warmly as she approached.
"Dis. Its warms my heart to see you all at home in the halls of your forefathers." The deep voice of their visitor reached her ears as she followed after Dis, the distinctive dialect of their guest making her freeze mid step as obscure memories assaulted her.
Her gaze instantly found their guests, and she couldn't stop her eyes from widening as she took them in. That sense of familiarity hit her again as she took in their darkened, sun kissed skin and coal black hair and beards. Their clothes were of a bright crimson, almost identical to a molten sun on a hot horizon.
Mistlynn blinked rapidly was flashes of vague faces and distorted voices barraged her.
She could visualize that red silk, bright and glaring like blood upon the snow scape of the frozen tundra she once called home. She felt the blood drain from her face. That voice … his face … standing next to her Adad. Laughing. Shaking hands.
Her hands clenched at her side, shaking as her confusion quickly became anger.
Thorin was standing next to Dis, Balin, Fili, Kili and Dwalin as they conversed with their guests, unaware of the internal battle of chaotic yet lethal wrath that was surging throughout her at an alarming rate. He turned his head to look in her direction, ready to introduce her but was caught off guard at the sight of Mistlynn reaching down to her boot and pulling out the dagger he made her.
His eyes grew wide in alarm, making everyone look over towards her as she began to advance towards Daruuk, her eyes menacing slits as she held her dagger offensively.
"Mistlynn!" Thorin yelled incredulously as he moved to intercept her.
"Men shmek menu!" she growled viciously as she stalked towards Daruuk, who was looking at her as if she was a ghost that had come back to haunt him. The dwarrows behind him had the same expressions of shock on their faces as they scrambled to reach for their sheathed weapons.
"Yavanna have mercy." Daruuk's rich voice stammered as he took a step back as he watched Thorin grab Mistlynn around the waist, effectively pinning her arms to her side. His dark skin seemed to pale as he watched Mistlynn struggle against Thorin's grip, her eyes still trained on him as she snarled at him, her eyes wild.
"Mistlynn. Stop!" Thorin growled as he forced her to release the dagger, so it clattered onto the ground next to their feet.
"I know you!" Mistlynn spat viciously, still fighting against Thorin with a frightening strength, despite her still healing body. "I know your face!"
Dis held her hand up to cover her mouth in dismay, as Fili and Kili grabbed her and pushed her towards the door, their hands on their swords as they faced the Blacklock's who had also taken a shocked, yet defensive stance.
Balin stepped in between Mistlynn and the Blacklock dwarrows. "My Queen!" He pleaded, his voice shaking with worry as he watched Thorin struggle to subdue her thrashing as she continued to try to free herself from his grasp.
"Mistlynn?" Daruuk held his hand up, motioning his men to re-sheath their weapons as he continued to look at her in disbelief.
"Mahal. She looks just like Iovalyn." One of the older dwarrow standing behind Daruuk uttered.
Mistlynn felt the fight leave her as the dwarrow spoke the name she hadn't heard spoken aloud in over a century. She collapsed fully against Thorin, her mouth agape in shock. "W-what did you just say?"
"Ma shandi." Daruuk couldn't seem to tear his gaze from her face. "Is it really you? His eyes shot up to Thorin's "Valos said she died, alongside Iovalyn in the uprising."
Mistlynn bristled at the sound of her Adad's name being spoken. Before she had the chance to respond to Daruuk, Thorin spoke first, his tone commanding as he positioned Mistlynn under his arm, as if trying to shield her as he studied Daruuk with suspicion. "Why do you speak as if you know my wife and her family?"
Daruuk looked back over his shoulder towards his comrades, who were shifting nervously on their feet as they whispered amongst herself. "Surely this is a ruse." One of the Blacklock's muttered darkly, "How else is this to be explained. It's impossible."
"Is it?" Daruuk shot back. "Valos gave us no details, he just vanished after that dispatch was sent." He looked back at towards Thorin. Dwalin, Fili and Kili were now flanking Thorin and Mistlynn. Dis was standing next to Balin, all eyes trained on Daruuk and his men. "Great Yavanna, Mistlynn. You look just like her, I wouldn't be able to tell you apart if she were standing here before me." His tone was disbelieving. "How? How did you come to be here?"
"Answer my question first." Thorin growled. "How do you know of Mistlynn and her family?"
"I was friends with her parents." Daruuk spoke softly, regret etched on his face.
"I was not aware you had such close dealings with the White Kingdom. Given their past affiliations with such dark matters, I am shocked you seemed to be on such friendly terms with the late King Valos." Thorin cocked his head to the side as he studied Daruuk closely, trying to determine if his obvious show of grief was genuine.
Daruuk sighed deeply, his gaze shifting between Mistlynn and Thorin, before acknowledging the on-guard bearing of Dwalin, Fili and Kili. Nervousness flickered in his eyes. "You are aware of my brother's particular … views." He stated ruefully. "He was my King, and as the younger brother I held no sway in anything. I was always upfront about that."
Thorin watched Daruuk's shoulders sag slightly, "That was the main reason for my visit. There has been a divide in our clan. I, along with half of our people have removed ourselves from my brother's kingdom. We are now refugees. We are seeking asylum until we can determine our next steps."
"We are sorry to hear that, Lord Daruuk." Balin gave his sympathies as he shared a look with Thorin. Dwalin, Fili and Kili relaxed their stances as they watched the tension in Thorin's demeanor lessen.
"There were whisperings of an unknown dwarven clan that had marched against Erebor and the Iron Hills. We have not heard from King Valos since he cut off all ties over 100 years ago, much to my brother's never-ending ire." Daruuk's gaze once again fell on Mistlynn, who had remained as still as stone as she listened to the exchange. "If he knew she was still alive …" he trailed off as he shook his head. "He would be enraged."
Thorin stiffened again, his arm around Mistlynn's waist tightening as his eyes narrowed. Mistlynn's nostrils flared in rage. "King Valos is dead. He was murdered by Valinn, as was my younger brother. I was not aware of his schemes until he showed up here and tried to take Erebor with force." She spat her Adad's name, along with Valinn's with ill-concealed contempt.
Daruuk's eyes widened in shock as he grimaced, as if pained by the news. Mistlynn felt her anger flare hotter as the reality of the situation hit her fully. "And why Is it that this King I have never met, your brother as you say, would be enraged that I was alive or not? When I left the Northern Wastes, I stumbled across Thorin and his men on the outskirts of the Lonely Mountain, I've never met any other King of any other dwarven clan." She stepped out of Thorin's hold, glaring at Daruuk challengingly. "My Adad never once spoke your name or of any arrangement with any other dwarven clan. Why would he keep such a thing from me?"
"It was King Varric, your Gamul'adad, who arranged the marriage alliance between our clans. You were promised to my nephew, the prince. When Valo's called off all other dealings after he told us of how you and your Amad were killed in the uprising, my brother was enraged."
"What uprising? My Amad died in childbirth. My Gamul'adad succumbed to his grief."
"You were young." Daruuk gave her a pitying look, as did his comrades that had come to stand alongside him. "I was sent to speak with Valos after we received his dispatch. When we arrived at your main settlement … we came across thousands slain, your Gamul'adad's head was mounted on a spike in the middle of where your tented city once sat." Daruuk paused as he looked from Mistlynn's stunned face back to Thorin's.
"Your clan had disappeared, without a trace."
"No." Mistlynn gasped. "You're wrong. I- I would have remembered…" she felt Thorin walk up behind her, his arm coming back around her waist to offer support. She couldn't think straight. Her mind was racing, frantically searching for any memory that would prove what Daruuk was saying as lies.
"My brother was most eager to join your bloodline with his, especially with the promise you showed as a dwarfling. Your abilities far surpassed those of your Amad's." Daruuk gave Thorin a pointed look. "He will see your marriage as nothing but an egregious slight. It won't matter to him that it was Valo's deception or not, he will hold you responsible for the slight, Oakenshield."
"We were not aware of any such promises." Balin started to say, but Mistlynn stepped towards Daruuk seethingly.
"I am not some chattel to be bartered and sold! And it is no fault of Thorin's that I was not aware of such a disgusting arrangement. If my Adad went through such lengths to conceal and spare me from such an alliance it was for a good cause."
Daruuk's serious expression grew soft as he looked at her with a startling fondness. It unnerved her. "Your parents were never thrilled with the alliance. It was made without their consent. They told me as much, as I said… they were dear friends of mine." He looked away from Mistlynn and watched as Thorin placed a consoling hand on the small of her back as she fought to steady her racing heart. "You are so much like your Amad. Yavanna preserve her soul." His voice broke slightly at the end, as if he was still grieving her passing.
"What do you mean by abilities?" Thorin kept his hand on Mistlynn's back, but he purposefully ignored the startled then betrayed look she shot him.
"Iovalyn was an Aria, and a powerful one. She could influence the shifting of the weather and summon the wind. Their unique lineage gifted the women of their royal line spectacular gifts that reached far beyond the traditional gift of dwarven Stone Singers or Elven magic."
"I dont know what you speak of. I have no such powers." Mistlynn growled defensively.
"There is no need to hide it from us. We all witnessed your gift manifest when you were not even five summers old. The youngest to ever manifest their power, your Gamul'adad boasted." The oldest looking Blacklock dwarrow stated seriously. "We all here saw it for ourselves."
Mistlynn felt as if someone had poured ice water over her head at his statement. She began to shake her head adamantly. "No. You are mistaken. I remember no such thing. You must have me confused with someone else." She wanted to look up at Thorin, who was still standing behind her solid and warm, but she stopped herself. She was scared of what his expression would hold. She could still feel his hand on her back, the pressure of his fingers gently rubbing a subtle pattern along her spine the only thing that was keeping her from fleeing the room.
The Blacklock's were staring at her, with looks mixed between concern and shock on their faces.
"What, exactly, do you remember?" Daruuk asked, his voice turning gentle.
Mistlynn swallowed the lump that was beginning to form in her throat. "We never spoke my Amads name. My Adad forbid it." She couldn't help her bottom lip from trembling as she took in a deep breath, bracing herself, determined to not show any further weakness. "I dont remember my Amad being able to wield these, abilities, you claim she possessed. Nor do I possess any … abilities. I dont know what it is you witnessed, but if my Gamul'adad is responsible of deceiving you all so thoroughly just to gain an alliance with your clan … I am truly sorry. But he misled you."
"Mahalu shirumund." The older Blacklock that had been speaking earlier, Daruuk's apparent advisor, mumbled disbelievingly as he leaned against the table.
"Valos … what in Mahal's name did you do?" Daruuk muttered in shock to himself as they all realized that Mistlynn truly didn't remember.
"What abilities did you witness her possessing?" Thorin's question broke the silence first.
"Thorin, please dont. They are mistaken…" Mistlynn looked at him imploringly as she finally looked into his face, denial and fear evident in her eyes.
"We cannot dismiss this M'eudail." Thorin's tone was apologetic, yet firm. "Your Adad took great lengths to hide these things. We need to know."
"He is right Lassie." Balin agreed as he tried to give her a comforting, gently smile. "It's better for us to have all the details, instead of being caught unaware, knowing nothing."
"We are here for you Mist." Dis finally spoke aloud as she approached to stand closer to her and Thorin. "Remember. Together."
Mistlynn pressed her lips together tightly as she mulled over their words before giving them a jerky nod to continue. She looked back at Daruuk, who was still looking at her with sympathy.
Indignation rippled through her in a heat wave. She didn't want his pity. Whatever memory he was trying to hold on to regarding her parents and herself, she didn't want to know. It did nothing to help heal any of what had already come to pass. She wanted it all burned to ash, just like her Adad's remains, to be forever lost on the wind.
"She was blessed with an affinity to all living things. All manner of creatures trusted and yielded to her when she sang. She could mimic their sounds flawlessly. Although it was nothing spectacular at first. It was only when her and Valinn stumbled upon an iced over cave of a slumbering frost drake. We were there to discuss plans of an alliance, and we were not far from the main settlement. They had fallen into the cave, awakening the beast. Before it could attack us, she raised up her tiny little hands and began to sing. It was unlike anything we had heard before. The frost drake lowered its head and bowed before her. It could have swallowed her whole, but instead it yielded to her before it turned and flew off. She was just barely five summers old."
You could have heard a pin drop in the room. Mistlynn felt every pair of eyes on her as she searched through her deepest, darkest memories, only to find nothing but fog. "I – I dont remember that." She swallowed thickly as sweat began to prickle her skin and her chest grew tight. Panic was starting to settle in her bones.
Why couldn't she remember these things?
It was as if they were talking about someone else, perhaps herself in another distant past life.
Thorin must have registered the change in her breathing because he reached for her hand quickly, The pressure of his fingers intertwining with hers as he pulled her to his side, grounding her as the throbbing of her frantic heartbeat and the pitched ringing that had been growing loud in her ears dulled. Small bursts of fresh air returned to her lungs.
"Your brother has no idea that she is here? That she is alive?" Thorin looked directly at Daruuk as his hold on her tightened. She allowed herself to sink into his body, letting her eyes slide shut as she desperately tried to quieten her frantic thoughts.
"No." Daruuk answered softly. "And he won't hear of it from us. All I know is that he has heard rumors of a clan that challenged you and Dain over a dam, and that you managed to disband them quickly with barely any casualties of your own. For now, he poses no threat to you."
Thorin nodded, a meaningful look passing between the two dwarrows.
"You two are One's?" Daruuk asked after a moments hesitance.
"Yes." Thorin's reply was simple and firm.
"I am glad of it." Daruuk smiled. "Iovalyn and Valos would have been thrilled that she had found her One, of that I have no doubt. My congratulations to you both."
An infuriated growl ripped out of Mistlynns chest. She tore her hand from Thorin's grip as she took a step towards Daruuk, giving him a menacing look. "You think you knew my Adad, but you are mistaken. He didn't care about me! He removed me from his line of succession and cast me off to serve in his ranks when I was barely 11 summers old and blamed me for my Amads death. He was too obsessed with hunting his precious frost drakes than to care about whether I was happy or loved. All the kindness and love you speak of died with my Amad when he laid her to rest in the sea. You. Know. Nothing." She relished the look of anguish that took over Daruuk's face before she turned and stormed out of the room.
She ignored them all as they called out her name as she broke into a run.
She had promised Thorin that she wouldn't run anymore. But this was too much. She wasn't running from him and she hoped that he would understand that. She was running from the past that kept rearing its ugly head. She was running from the unknown that made her question everything she thought she knew about herself.
It seemed she hadn't overcome anything that day in the battlefield when she bested Valinn.
Valinn had only been the precursor to the storm.