|
When Thorin entered the room, he looked up to Gandalf. He gave a stiff nod, then spoke quietly to Balin. Thorin was still hesitant about letting Elrond read the map. The Elves had no business knowing what they were up to. Period. Their mission was theirs and theirs alone. They didn't need to drag any stinky Elves in on it. It would only complicate things.
Thorin waited for Balin to finish his wine and for the others to ready themselves to go. While he did, he spotted Fili down the table. He noticed how grouchy the others were being to him and for a split second, felt bad for his nephew. Forgetting his pity and remembering his anger, Thorin stepped up behind Fili's chair. He put a hand down on Fili's shoulder and squeezed hard. Not enough to truly hurt him, but enough to know he was serious. Much like he used to do when Fili was still a child. He leaned down and spoke quietly to him, "When I return from speaking to Lord Elrond, I want to have a word with you. When you are finished, you will go back to your room and you will stay there until I return. Do you understand me?" Without waiting for a response, Thorin released Fili and walked away from him. He joined Gandalf and the others. Elrond lead the way to his study where they could discuss the matter in private. Kili nodded to his brother, "Yes, yes, with Uncle. She was on his arm everything. She looked very nervous, though. I can only imagine how his invitation to dinner went. 'You. To dinner. With me. Now!', most likely. He's a bit short on charm, these days." Kili's appetite seemed to have returned now that the atmosphere had eased up a little. They seemed almost to have forgotten they were angry with Fili and the conversations carried on as they did before. ..That is, until a certain someone opened his big adorable mouth. Ori had been quiet for a while, watching Fili from across the table. His innocent mind had been going a mile a minute and decided, finally, to speak up. He leaned on the table and propped his chin up in both hands, "So, Fili. ...What's it like being with an elf?" The table hushed suddenly and all eyes first went to Ori, then slowly gravitated to Fili. If looks could kill, Fili would have been dead on the spot. |
Fili cringed when his uncle grasped his shoulder and murmured to him, sternly, that he wished to speak after he returned from dealing with the map. He watched Thorin walk away with his peripheral vision. The prince would not be looking forward to that conversation. In the meantime, he would steel his psyche against the yelling that was sure to occur. He continued to eat until his plate was empty, and went through a couple of glasses of elven wine as if it were nothing.
“On his arm?! Well, then... That is certainly...Surprising...” The gears in Fili's mind began turning, and he smirked to himself. Assuming that his uncle would scold him over Naerwyn, he could very well bring up the situation with Ammie. She was rather young. She thought that she had to be at least the equivalent of his age, in hobbit years. What was his uncle doing pursuing someone like that, someone so delicate and... Well, silly? He could only describe Ammie as cute and silly. Rather like a little sister. Of course, Thorin could do what he wanted but if it was how Kili seemed to be describing, was his uncle really one to judge his own preference ? Fili nearly spit out the wine in his mouth when Ori asked about “being with an elf”. Bless his poor, naïve little heart. The entire room fell silent and countless pairs of eyes stabbed into him, heavy with judgement and condescension. He coughed, pounding his chest gently with his fist and making a face. “W-Well,” he said quietly, wiping stray droplets from his mouth. “I wouldn't know. I actually haven't been with one. But I expect it will be...Soft.” Multiple jaws dropped. Who cared what they thought, anyway! Fili knew what he wanted. Sure, furry dwarf women were charming in their own way...But he had set his sights higher than that! ~~~ Gandalf followed Lord Elrond into his study, Bilbo, Balin, and Thorin trailing close behind. “You still read ancient dwarvish, yes?” he asked Elrond. The gray wizard turned to Thorin, gesturing for him to give the map over to Thorin. “Now is not the time for reticence, Thorin Oakenshield,” he said. “We need to read what is written on that map, and you are in now the presence of one of the few left in Middle Earth capable of reading it.” Bilbo looked from Gandalf to Thorin curiously. Balin however, he noticed, did not appear pleased over the idea of showing a “confidential” map of Erebor to an elf...Regardless of his linguistic abilities. |
Kili finished his supper and sipped on the wine. He kept up a few conversations while he ate, then looked to Fili and gave a nod, "Yes, yes. Quite surprising."
When Ori asked Fili what being with Naerwyn was like, Kili was surprised, but kept face pretty well against the shock. He looked to Ori, then to Fili, eager to know the answer. When Fili confessed that he hadn't been with Naerwyn in that way, he rolled his eyes, "Oh, brother, what is the matter with you? You sneak off for hours with this woman and you don't lie with her? Are you ill?" Thorin followed Gandalf and Elrond to the study, but he was hesitant again. He kept the map close to his heart and grumbled out how it wasn't any of Elrond's business what was on the map. It took a long while to convince him otherwise. Finally, against Balin's advice, he took the map from his breast pocket and handed it over to Elrond. Elrond nodded to Gandalf when he asked if he still read ancient Dwarvish. He waited patiently for Thorin to decide what he wanted to do, but he was pleased when Thorin finally handed over the map. He gave him a nod of appreciation and opened the map. He looked over the map, then looked to Thorin and Gandalf, "What is your purpose for knowing?" |
Fili floundered for a rebuttal to his brother's teasing. He did not want to blatantly state that Naerwyn had never been touched by a man! He also did not want to admit his reluctance to spoil her innocence, as that wasn't especially manly of him, either. What to say?! "Well, you see...I..." Fili opened his mouth and then shut it again, knitting his brow. "KILI, I AM SURPRISED AT YOU. I only met Naerwyn this morning! She is a lady, and I... I had to behave like a prince ought to, like a gentleman! Not force myself on defenseless women, as you would! KILI, YOU RUFFIAN!" He grinned playfully, turning the conversation on Kili's own lack of manners. Fili swung his arm around his brother's neck and then pulled him into a choke-hold. He started ruffling Kili's hair in the violent manner only relatives and friends dared to.
~~~ "Oh, it's merely an academic interest," Gandalf replied dismissively, earning a strange look from both Balin and Bilbo. Bilbo clapped a hand over his face to stifle a snort of laughter. Why would this large of a traveling party come all this way for a purely academic pursuit?! Gandalf the Grey did not always tell the best lies, no matter what he liked to believe! |
Kili grinned and waited for Fili to answer. He was delighted when Fili stumbled over what to say. He was a bit surprised, though, at Fili's outburst. He yelped when Fili grabbed hold of him and began to ruffle up his hair, "Aah! Stop! Stop it, brother!!"
Thorin waited while Elrond looked over the map. He shifted his weight from foot to foot and squirmed something terrible while he waited for Elrond to determine if he could read it. He sent a small glare to Gandalf when he mentioned their purpose was academic. It was a terrible lie. The elf would never believe it! Elrond nodded, but did not seemed convinced. He looked over the map and gave another slow nod as he understood what they had to do, "These are moon runes. They can only be read by light of the same moon they were written under." He tilted the map against the low light of the study and gave a firm nod. He suddenly began to hurry off, beckoning them all to follow. |
"Hahaha, what's the magic word, Kili?!" Fili said, not relinquishing the hold on his brother in the slightest. The other dwarves had forgotten their annoyance at the blond prince and were simply laughing at the comical sight before them. The brothers rough-housed often. "You're forgetting your manners, again! The magic word, hurry!!" By now Kili's hair was even more a mess than it had been upon arriving in Rivendell.
~~~ Even Gandalf had to admit--it had not been his best falsehood. Perhaps he was becoming rusty? The old wizard cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed for himself. Regardless, Elrond accepted the reason without question. Even if he suspected another truth, clever as he was, he did not make any accusations towards Thorin or his comrades. Bilbo Baggins attributed this politeness to Elrond's overwhelming virtue and strength of character. (Yes, he was still in the throes of fanaticism over elves; seeing the persons from his books in person did that to a hobbit.) The group followed Elrond out onto a stony ledge, jutting out over the river valley. A crescent moon hung above them in the clear night sky, surrounding by thousands of glittering stars. As they approached, Bilbo looked saw a strange, circular formation sitting on the edge of the promontory... It rather looked like a giant crystal or prism of some sort. |
Kili struggled against his brother's grasp, grunting and grumbling irritably. Kili had a feeling that Fili's actions at the time were less about punishing Kili for his apparent lack of manners and more to shift attention away from Fili's delicate situation with Naerwyn. Annoyed, but understanding, Kili decided to play along. Grumbling, he struggled again, "Alright, alright! Fili, knock it off! Please!"
Thorin listened quietly while Elrond determined that the map bore moon runes. He wasn't surprised. It was the perfect way to keep their secrets just that, secret. Well, it would have been had they not been forced to take it to an Elf for decoding. Thorin followed Elrond to the ledge and took in the sight, even taking a moment to admire the beauty of the spot, there behind the waterfall. Elrond placed the map on the prism and waited for a moment while the light of the moon illuminated the hidden runes. Elrond read it once, then twice to ensure accuracy, then read it aloud. "Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks and the setting sun, with the last light of Durin's Day, will shine upon the key-hole." That was when it all clicked. Elrond knew for sure now. This was no academic venture. They meant to reclaim Erebor. |
"Atta boy!" Fili laughed, and released his little brother from his grasp as promised. He snorted at Kili's comical appearance. His hair was definitely all over the place after Fili's teasing. Since he had finished his dinner, Fili remembered Uncle Thorin's instructions. He was to go directly back to the room and wait for him to return. Fili almost wanted to give Thorin the slip with Kili's aid, but it was not yet midnight and he did not want to get in even more trouble. Besides, the other dwarves would likely be supervising him closely and ready to rat him out if he disobeyed his elder and king again. "Kili, do you want to go back to the room? I'm finished here," he said.
~~~ Gandalf did not seem altogether surprised by the revelation. Rather, he smiled in a relieved sort of way. As if Elrond's reading of the map had been but a confirmation in his mind, of something he'd already suspected. "Hmm, good," he said. "What's Durin's Day?" Bilbo asked, glancing from Gandalf to Thorin and Balin. |
Kili attempted to fix his hair, but to no avail. If Fili wasn't having a difficult day, he would have fought back. Instead of causing more trouble, he sighed and nodded. "Yes, I'm finished. Let's go back." He excused himself from the table and headed out of the dining hall.
Elrond looked at the lot of them, "You intend to enter the mountain?" "What of it?" Thorin looked up to Elrond, almost daring him to try to stop him and his company from completing their quest. "There are some who would not deem it wise." Balin looked at Bilbo, "The first day of the Dwarven new year." He looked to Thorin, "Durin's day is almost upon us, but we still have time! We have to be standing in exactly the right spot, at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened!" |
Gandalf appeared troubled by Elrond's statement, judging by his facial expression. "And just have you been speaking to, Lord Elrond, that would deem it so?" he asked. Lord Elrond sketchily bade Gandalf accompany him somewhere else, and handed the map back to Thorin. Gandalf frowned, but complied.
"Thorin, Bilbo, Balin... Return to your rooms. I believe that I will be indisposed for the rest of the evening. Hopefully Elrond's translation has been of some assistance to you." With that, the gray wizard departed. Bilbo chewed on his lower lip, wondering about whether he ought to stay with Thorin and Balin or not. He felt awkward standing there alone with the gloomy men, although the moon runes had been interesting to hear about. He was antsy to get back to the books he'd borrowed from the palace library. "Well, I'll be going then," he said with a nervous laugh. "I'll see you later in the room?" With that, Bilbo Baggins scurried back in the direction from whence they came. |
Thorin left just after Bilbo. Balin was just behind him. He walked quickly and with purpose. He wanted to get back to their room and make sure he was no defied.
When he arrived, he allowed Balin to enter first, then stepped inside. Upon spotting Fili sitting on the floor near his brother, both drawing on their pipes, he slammed the door, his anger rising once again. The poor door was not used to such abuse and rattled loudly. He walked with heavy footfalls toward Fili, but forced himself to stop a few feet from him. Had he gotten any closer, he may have regretted it. Instead, fists shaking and heart pounding, he managed to point to Fili and growled out, "Get. Up." Thorin didn't even wait until Fili was on his feet to begin his onslaught, "What were you thinking?! What sickness has crawled into your head?! You would abandon your comrades, YOUR KIN, to go dally with an elf?! Was she worth it, Fili?! Was she worth everything you stand for?!" Kili didn't say a word while Fili was screamed at. He kept his head down and tried to pretend he was somewhere else. It was impossible, though, and he found himself bringing his knees up to his chest. His forehead came to rest on one of his knees and he heaved a sigh. Kili braced himself, only expecting it to get worse if Fili did what Kili expected him to. |
No sooner had Fili gotten to his feet that Uncle Thorin's wrath came down upon him with the severity of a hurricane. Clearly the elder dwarf had been bottling up with great difficulty during the meeting with Elrond and Gandalf. Still, Fili had been mentally steeling himself for this moment. The wine, the pipe... They had helped to soothe his nerves and gather courage. He would have to disobey his uncle, for Naerwyn's sake. He hated to say it, but there were times when Thorin did not know best. He was a strict, hotheaded man quick to temper. His prejudices ran deep. It was not Naerwyn's fault that Thranduil had forsaken his people to Smaug.
Fili lowered his blue eyes, inhaling sharply, and then returned them to his uncle. Defiance burned within them. His own fists were clenched and shaking, but from fear. He saw Thorin as a father figure, and sorely yearned for his approval. He did not want Thorin to be disappointed in him, but he had to make a stand. "I was late to dinner, yes, but I hardly abandoned my kin... I wanted to make certain that Naerwyn was truly on the mend. I did not touch her, Uncle. Not in the way you are thinking. Not yet. And I hardly think that caring for an innocent woman who has nothing to do with Thranduil or the past destroys everything I stand for. She has not once mocked me or rejected me for being what I am--a dwarf. You were the one who convinced me that elves looked down on us, Uncle. But she doesn't. So, what, I am supposed to treat her cruelly when she shows me kindness?!" Fili's confidence grew with every sound argument he produced. He took two measured steps towards Thorin, fixing him with an indignant and severe glare. "I don't want to hate an entire race for one's actions, Uncle. I don't want to hate at all! It is exhausting! Why are you so worried, anyway!? After tonight I may never see her again, because from now on all my energy will be devoted to helping you on your quest to restore our people's homeland! Save your hostility for the orcs and Smaug! I have done nothing dishonorable this night!" |
Thorin wasn't surprised that Fili talked back to him. Not really. He expected as much. What he wasn't expecting was what came out of Fili's mouth. He was standing up for the elf? And not just that one, ALL OF THEM?! What had gotten into Fili's head?! It was only then that Thorin caught something. Fili had admitted never having touched the elf in 'that way'. Thorin was glad for that. But it was the after thought that caused another wave of anger in Thorin, "Not yet'?What do you mean 'not yet'?" Of course Thorin knew exactly what it meant. Fili had no intentions of forgetting his sudden and brief infatuation with the elf. "Kindness?! You're a fool, Fili! She toys with you! Plays tricks on your mind! Spells! Elf magic! Nothing more! What, do you think she will save herself for you?! Await the day you come crawling back to her?! The minute you leave from her sight, Fili, she will move on! You won't be a spare thought in her mind! She is just like the others! They care only for themselves and NOTHING for anyone else! But, it is no matter, because you are right, you won't see her again. Because I forbid you to see her again!"
His anger was hardly spent, but he was finding it harder and harder to keep screaming at his nephew. He turned slightly and looked over the rest of them. Some sat awkwardly, as if pretending they couldn't hear what was going on. Some watched him, but he didn't care what their expressions read. He snapped to the lot of them, "It's close to midnight and we leave at day break! All of you get some rest! Now!" |
How...How dare he accuse Naerwyn of using elf magic on him to seduce his mind!? Fili's insides writhed with anger. He could scarcely believe his uncle's hypocrisy! He went on and on about men and elves believing in falsehoods and stereotypes about dwarves, and yet here he was perpetuating stereotypes himself! Just because Naerwyn was an elf didn't make her a witch! And even if she was, that did not necessarily mean that she would cast spells on Fili's mind! No, his mind felt terribly, horribly clear! Clear enough to rationalize his own very low blow to his Uncle's pride.
"You're one to talk!" he snapped, just before Thorin could walk away assuming that he had won this 'discussion'. "I heard some very fascinating things earlier... About who you might be interested in, while the rest of us aren't looking. The others say you talk to Ammie a great deal...And that tonight you came in with her on your arm and sat together at dinner. They even said you, when she'd had too much wine, carried her off on your shoulder and set her up nice and cozy in your private room. What is that all about, hmm? Just trying to be gentlemanly? I doubt it. Do you know how young she is, uncle?! She's the hobbit equivalent of my own age!" He took yet another brazen step forward to his uncle, pointing at him accusingly. "You cannot forbid me from seeing Naerwyn again. I am a grown man and I can make my own decisions. But if you can tell me, right here, right now, that you have no amorous feelings towards Ms. Ammie Took... I might consider obeying you!" |
Kili hadn't moved for a while, staying in a tight ball. He desperately tried to ignore the argument. He hated it when he family fought. It wasn't often, but it happened and he hated it. Kili raised his head when Fili so boldly accused Thorin of taking advantage of Ammie. Kili even felt the sting from that one. It was then his eyes trailed to Thorin and Kili knew he needed to do something.
Thorin suddenly made a sharp move toward Fili and Kili sprang into action. He jumped up, abandoning his pipe and threw himself between his Uncle and brother. He pushed hard on Thorin's chest, but all it did was bring Thorin to a struggling halt. "Stop, Uncle! Fili knows not what he says!" When Fili dared bring Ammie into this, Thorin whipped back around. His entire body shook with rage. How dare he say anything about her! How dare he bring her into this! He had heard enough and before he could stop himself, he his body lunged forward. He hadn't known his own intentions, but he knew they weren't good. Pain. He just wanted to inflict a little pain. He was shocked and grateful that Kili had chosen to fling himself between the two. Thorin struggled against Kili, but deep down, he never truly wanted to get passed him. "How dare you bring her into this!! This isn't about me or my choices! This is about you! I would never take advantage of the Hobbit! EVER! My decision to take her to my room was only to ensure she stayed safe and comfortable while she slept off her drunken stupor! And whom I escort to dinner is no concern of yours! My choices have nothing to do with you!" Thorin growled loudly, struggling against the younger of his two nephews. He couldn't bring himself to say it. He couldn't say that he didn't have some sort of feelings for Ammie. That would taste an awful lie. He couldn't do it. Not even to prevent Fili from slithering into an Elf's bed. "It's none of your business, Fili." |
It alarmed Fili highly when his uncle lunged at him for his blatant accusation. His resolve faltered a bit...The concept of his uncle wanting to beat him senseless startled him. But, at the same time, Thorin could not comply to Fili's request. If he truly had no feelings for the hobbit woman, he would have done so to prevent his older nephew and heir from fraternizing with an elf.
"S-See, you can't say it," Fili stated triumphantly, his confidence returning to him. He held his head up high. "We're family, are we not?! And I have as much of a right to worry about what do as you have to worry about me. It is my business, who my uncle and king chooses to court! And if it isn't, then who I choose to court certainly isn't any of my uncle's business, either!" He backed away a little, in case Thorin experienced a sudden burst of strength to topple Kili out of the way and have at him. "I am not going to talk about this anymore, Uncle. It's my heart and I will do with it what I will, no matter what you may think of me!" Fili would say nothing more after this. He glared daggers, shut his mouth, and seated himself by the window to gaze longingly across the palace grounds. Come midnight, all of his comrades would be sound asleep and he would steal away to his beloved Naerwyn. Even if Thorin forbade him, he would do it. This could be his last chance to do so, and only the greatest catastrophe would keep him from her! |
Thorin's anger was far from spent, but his body just couldn't keep up. He realized, as well, that he might have been playing directly into Fili's hand and decided, then, to stop. If he wanted to keep his sanity and Fili wanted to keep his teeth, he had to stop. This was getting them no where, no matter how mad Thorin was.
With an exhausted sigh, he let up the pressure on Kili. Kili's hands stayed firmly planted on Thorin's chest until he was sure it was alright to let him go. Fili made a logical point. If Fili couldn't question Thorin, Thorin couldn't question Fili. It was logical. To a point. Thorin, of course, did not agree. Thorin was Fili's Uncle. HIs guardian when his mother wasn't around. Thorin had every right to question Fili's choices. It was just how things worked! But he needed Fili on his side. And truth be told, Naerwyn was as good as gone from Fili's life. All he needed to do was keep an eye on Fili for the night. And he would do just that. A small smirk spread across Thorin's lips and he looked to the others, "Get some rest, all of you. I'll take the first watch." Thorin's eyes came to rest on Fili last. It was a challenging look. As if to say 'Try to sneak out. I dare you.' Thorin watched the men settle down for the night, cuddling up in on their bedrolls and hoarding as many pillows as possible. The Elves had furnished the room, but the men cared not to the delicate day beds. They preferred the ground over them. That, of course, didn't stop them from partaking from the spoils covering the day beds. Overly stuffed pillows and silken blankets, a tired man's wet dream! Thorin seated himself by the door and got comfortable. He would be watching the men for a while. More or less, to ensure that Fili stayed by the window. |
By now, Bilbo Baggins had wandered sleepily back into their shared quarters. He had, thankfully, not been around for the two men discussing one's intentions towards his innocent niece. Unlike the dwarves, he saw nothing wrong with the daybeds and plopped down into one of them. They were luxuriously large for someone of his stature. He piled pillows and blankets up around him and, finally content and warm, drifted to sleep. He was so exhausted from the past two day's events that he could not keep his eyes open for any longer.
Fili, however, inwardly cursed his Uncle's cleverness. If he took watch, he could ensure Fili stayed within the room and then fall asleep at his own leisure. This was the type of catastrophe capable of preventing the dwarf from seeing Naerwyn. The only way to win against Thorin was to play the game and then make him believe that he had lost. The challenge commenced with Fili having a staring contest of sorts with Thorin. He sat on the ledge of the window, moonlight filtering in and illuminating his determined face even in the darkened room. He put on a good, long show of trying to stay awake longer than his uncle. Following that, he pretended his eyelids were becoming droopy. He would blink more and more frequently, although pacing himself to make it seem gradual. Then, he acted as though he were dozing off to multiple seconds at a time. Fili's final ploy was to lay down on his bedroom and cover himself. He would deepen his breathing to make it appear as if he'd truthfully fallen asleep. Once Thorin let his guard down and drifted into unconsciously, Fili would escape! What Fili hadn't counted on was his actual, physical fatigue. Despite his best attentions, the exhaustion of his body won out over the determination of his mind. The moment he laid his head down on the pillow, the room began to spin around him. He was so, so tired... All that travels, trolls, and then orcs? Fili could take a short nap and easily rouse himself before midnight. It was still a couple of hours away, at all! Predictably, Fili did not wake up from his "nap". Midnight came and went. |
Thorin sat back, his eyes never leaving Fili's. He knew his staring was a desperate stab at gaining dominance, but he never backed down. He kept his eyes locked on his nephew. To Thorin's delight, Fili seemed to be losing this battle. His eyes drooped and his body swayed. He was falling asleep. Thorin let out a small, very light chuckle and settled down into the chair.
He was quite comfortable and decided, once he was sure Fili was dead asleep, that he, too, would get some sleep. They were safe. The Elves wouldn't dare try anything while they slept. ...Or...so they thought. Midnight, of course, was expected by another in Rivendell. Naerwyn had been anxiously awaiting midnight. It was torture trying to remain still and not give herself away to the nurses and healers. This was to be a secret and so she forced herself to remain calm. When the time finally came, however, Naerwyn practically jumped out of bed, onto her good foot, of course, and ran to the tree outside where Fili had said he would meet her. Only he did not come. Naerwyn, at first, was heart broken, thinking it was something she had done to cause him to go back on his word. But there was nothing she could have said! She barely said anything! Deciding that she was not the reason, she waited a while longer, giving him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps he had been held up. Still, nothing. The night was still and she was beginning to worry. Naerwyn had never been one to take risks or do things out of her character, but she decided that night, that she was going to try something new and very crazy. She was going to go in search of Fili. Though, it took quite a while to find where the dwarves were staying and she was grateful that they all decided to share a room. She tested the handle carefully and was delighted to find it was unlocked. She eased the door opened and peeked inside. So far, so good. The room was full of snoring, sleeping dwarves. She slid carefully into the room and closed the door as quietly as she could. She looked around the room, pressing her lips together in concentration. And then she found him! She stepped carefully through the maze of dwarves, up to Fili as he slept on his mat. She leaned down carefully and opened her mouth to say something, but all that came out was a frightened shrieking yelp! Naerwyn had been grabbed from behind! One hand was closed around her throat, ready to squeeze the life out of her and the other muffled her screams. It was absolutely terrifying! |
The frightened shriek caused all of the dwarves, even the heaviest sleepers, to violent awake with a start. Some of the dwarves shot up onto their feet, ready to do battle with invisible attackers. Others began screaming just as violently. The entire room had dissolved into a frantic mess of chaos, Fili and Kili included. Bilbo sat up in bed, his hair everywhere. He grabbed the nearest pillow and was small enough to hide his entire underneath it. Eventually someone had to good sense to turn on a lamp, illuminating the shrouded room and revealing a foreign presence. It was the she-elf from before!
Naerwyn was struggling to free herself from Thorin, who had a hand clamped over her mouth to muffle further shrieking. Perhaps he'd wanted to throw her out before she could wake Fili. Had it not occurred to him that a girl would scream if someone snuck up on her and grabbed her? Fili rubbed his eyes to make certain that the individual in his uncle's hold was indeed the elf maiden. He could have been dreaming... But no, it was indeed Naerwyn! He intended sneak out after Thorin fell asleep, but apparently he had fallen asleep instead. What an embarrassing thought... And Naerwyn, bless her, had resolved to come find him instead. But that was not a good plan for either of them. If Thorin hadn't given his private room to Ammie, maybe, but that was not the case. Fili, feigning ignorance, cried, "Naerwyn! What are you doing here?!" He fixed his uncle with a severe glare and stood abruptly. "Uncle, let her go, you're hurting her!" |
Naerwyn's hands shot up to the one around her neck. She fought and clawed against it, afraid that its grip would tighten. For now, it rested menacingly. She whined and whimpered, trying to get herself free. Her eyes swept wildly across the room when the lamp was lit. She was shocked that so many of them stood armed. What did they think was going to happen?
Her eyes snapped to Fili when he demanded she be released. Uncle, he had said. She could have been strangled by Fili's Uncle. Thorin. When he released her, she took a gasping breath and her hands shot to her neck. She was unharmed. Not even a red mark. She moved with careful steps over to Fili and looked into his eyes, her own quite sad. She frowned deeply and shifted uncomfortably. She spoke with a delicate and quiet voice, "You did not come." Thorin held the wiggling elf still, his grip never tightening, but remaining firm. In the dark, he hadn't seen exactly who it was, but he wasn't surprised to find it was the she-elf. He released her upon Fili's request and took a step back. He gave the signal for his men to stand down and watched Naerwyn go to Fili. When she announced, quite sadly, that he 'did not come', a smirk crossed Thorin's face. He shook his head and moved away from them, back to his chair, "I knew you would defy me." |
The reason for the dwarves' alarm was that they spent a great deal of time on the road. Even if tonight they rested safely in Rivendell, the fear of being violently disturbed as they slept had been well engrained into their psyches. However, the majority of them relaxed after seeing the she-elf. Not that they were pleased about her invading a room of sleeping men--particularly since now most had an idea of the relationship she had with Fili. It wasn't just an uncomfortable thought anymore. Still, they held their tongues. They knew Thorin Oakenshield, their king, would speak for them.
Fili tried to ignore his uncle for the time being, feeling immensely guilty over falling asleep and not making it to the tree outside. He would have been yelled at and likely punished afterwards, but at least he and Naerwyn could of had a conversation in private like he'd wanted to. "I'm sorry," he said softly, lowering his blue eyes abashedly. "My party did not approve of my going to you. I intended to sneak out when they all fell asleep, but my uncle stayed up and keep watch to ensure I remained here." It was now Fili's turn to desire, more than anything, to strike his uncle. He refrained only because he dared not act on the urge. His uncle was his elder and far stronger than him. It would only cause a further rift between them. "It wasn't like that," he told Thorin coldly. "I only intended to speak with her until it was time to leave tomorrow." |
Naerwyn frowned again when he mentioned that Thorin and the company had stopped Fili from coming to meet her. She looked around at the dwarves gathered in the room. She wanted to say something, but what would she say? She had nothing to say. Naerwyn felt as if her heart had been ripped in two. This man, whom she had just met this morning, was leaving and she couldn't even spend a few lousy hours with him. After that, she would probably never see him again. Why didn't they understand that? Why couldn't they let the two have such little time together?
Feeling herself get emotional, Naerwyn leaned close to Fili and placed a soft kiss upon his cheek. With a slow and steady breath, she spoke quietly, "Namárië, Fili." When she pulled back, a few tears ran down her cheeks, catching the light from the lamp. She turned and moved swiftly to the door, not daring to raise her eyes to any of his companions. She simply opened the door, slipped her thin body out, and closed it softly behind her. Bare feet carried her swiftly down the hall of the palace and toward the garden entrance she had used to get inside. Kili listened to Fili explain the trouble with a heavy heart. He didn't dare speak, for fear of angering Thorin and just watched while Naerwyn gave him a kiss and told him something in Elvish. Kili couldn't speak Elvish, of course, but he knew what she said. He knew. She was saying good bye. Kili's heart ached for his brother. He couldn't imagine how terrible Fili felt. Kili was surprised at the men. Some, namely Bofur and Ori muttered things like 'Poor lass. Hope she'll be alright', but the rest grumbled that they were 'glad that was over' and 'Maybe now we can get some sleep.' Feeling a sudden rush of shame and disappointment, Kili clapped Fili on the shoulder and dragged him toward the door, "Brother! I will hold them off! Go after her or you will regret forever!" |
Fili's breath caught in his throat when the elf pressed her lips lightly against his cheek. His brow knitted as she pulled away. Tears glistened in her eyes and streamed down her face in the most heart-wrenching of ways. How could she be so upset about bidding him farewell? Did she truly reciprocate his feelings that intensely? "Naerwyn," he breathed, his blue eyes locked on hers. All he wanted, in that instant, was to hold her and comfort her. But before he could do so, she'd retreated to the door and disappeared from the room.
Fili's insides flared with righteous anger and resentment towards everyone in the room continuing to judge him. Judging her. Everyone except for his brother, his only friend in the world right now. If Ammie were here, she probably would have supported him, too. But she wasn't--only her confused uncle Bilbo sitting on the bed and keeping quiet. He didn't want to get involved. Kili did not have to tell Fili twice to go after Naerwyn. He didn't care if Thorin hated him for it; the vision of Naerwyn's tear-streaked face spurred him on. He rushed forward, weaving acrobatically around his uncle, and dashed into the hallway after the elf woman. He doubted she'd gotten far, if she was truly that upset. Fili did not know the layout of the palace very well, but by some miracle when he passed a window he saw Naerwyn heading out into the garden. "Tchh!" He ran with renewed vigor, flinging himself into a door leading outside. "Naerwyn, wait!" Fili cried, in hot pursuit. She could not move very quickly on her injured leg, and so he easily caught up. He seized her wrist and yanked her back towards him, catching her against his chest. "Wait," he murmured against her hair, and enfolded her in a warm embrace. |
Kili and Thorin were almost immediately at each others throats. Kili yelled at his Uncle in defense of his poor, love-sick brother. He was disgusted with his comrades, "What did she EVER do to you?! I'm shocked at your behavior! All of you! You stomp around, complaining that you were abandoned by the Elves, but here they are! Welcoming you into their city with open arms! Feeding you! Giving you a bed to sleep in! A warm, safe roof to find shelter under! And you spend your time fuming over the fact that one of your brothers dared to fall for one of them?! It's no wonder he did! Look at all of them! They're all disgustingly gorgeous! Every one of you should be ashamed of yourselves! Personally? I don't give two shits that Fili's in love with an Elf! He's happy. That's all that should matter to you." Without another word, Kili stormed off to the small balcony connected to their room. An awkward silence fell over them and they all exchanged glances. The only one to move was Bofur. He headed out to the balcony after Kili. They needed to talk.
Naerwyn had never felt pain like this before. Her chest felt tight and her heart ached. There was a terrible lump in her throat, making it difficult to breathe. She pressed the back of her hand to her mouth to keep her from sobbing aloud as she moved through the garden. Her pale, tear stained face had turned a terrible shade of red and she felt her face grow hot. This was entirely unflattering and she cursed whatever made her feel this way. Was it love? Could she call it that? She wasn't sure. She was only half surprised that she heard Fili's voice behind her. Of course he would come after her, but it would only make the pain of his parting that much more painful. She hadn't expected him to catch her, though, and gasped in shock when he yanked her back. His embrace was welcomed and she eagerly returned it. Daring to let out the tiniest of sobs, she pressed her forehead against his shoulder and trembled against him. |
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