Hummingbird Heartbeat

Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Maranda followed Bilbo down to a room just above the treasury, where the gold was scattered about. The Dwarves were collected there for the most part and all stood up and greeted her as she entered. She was starving and still had a pounding headache. She was exhausted and upset and tired, but she needed to see Thorin. She excused herself and leapt over the low wall that made a fence around the room. She floated down into the gold and stumbled, sliding down the mounds of gold. And she stopped.

She closed her eyes, breathing heavily and tried to think of what to say. Thorin, the gold is making you sick. No that wasn't going to work. If he wouldn't listen to Bilbo, his best friend, why would he listen to her? She had fought with him enough times that he could have her executed if the mood fit him. Thorin, you're my friend but- Okay what conversation ever went well following those words? She sighed and lifted a small gold coin, staring at her reflection in it. She looked exhausted and pale. Sick and pathetic.

"How I feel," she murmured dropping it onto the pile. She stared around her. Where was that wayward Dwarf King anyway? "Thorin?" she called out and the sound of gold moving had her on her feet and stumbling towards it. She pushed off the ground and glided across the piles on her wings, bounding like she was on a space walk. She stopped when she saw Thorin. He was in a long blue cape and had several chains around his neck and his Grandfather's crown on his head. His fingers were adorned with rings and he held a golden sword, probably decorative, in his hand, examining the hilt carefully.

He looked regal, kingly, proud. Everything a king should be. Inspiring and brave and intelligent, an eye for beauty and power. Majestic and handsome. The face that would make people follow him, a soul that had brought a Company of broken souls across the Misty Mountains and through dragon fire to their home and now stood in splendor, decked out in gold and silver and mithril and sapphire and ruby and emerald. He looked like a king of old, covered in riches. And she hated it. His eyes were glazed and dull.

"Thorin?" she said and he turned. He dropped the sword and moved over to her laboriously, the gold shifting under his feet. She stood rooted to the spot as he made his way up to her. He pulled her into a tight hug when he reached her and beamed, a smile she had learned to trust that now could only describe as crazed.

"Mara, I thought you killed by the dragon. Thank Mahal you are here and whole. Have you news of my nephews?" he said, eyes shifting slightly.

"Yes. They're fine. They're coming up with the people of Lake Town. They're on their way to Dale," she said carefully.

"Good, good!" Thorin said and grinned. "When they arrive we'll take them into the Mountain and I will show them the splendor of their forefathers," he grinned. "But first, come." He took her hand and led her to the pile of things where he had been before. He set her on a chest that was overflowing with gold and gems.

"Thorin, I-" But he pressed a single finger to her lips.

"I have gifts for you. Please, wait until I've finished," he said, that same grin on his face. She sighed.

"Okay," she said in resignation. He scooped up a string of diamonds and wrapped them carefully around her neck. Next was a set of ruby bracelets with a charm carved of gold dangling from them. Then was the emerald and silver ring and the golden necklace with sapphire studs and the string of amethysts he draped on her head. She sighed and held still as he placed the jewelry on her and when he stopped, he looked more happy than before.

"There. And once we've finished rebuilding I'll show you so much! I'll teach you, the crafting of beads and the cutting of jewels. I will show you how to forge swords and the Mountain...Maranda, the places I will show you. The Never Ending Cavern, the Singing Tombs, I will show you every single part of this Mountain so I can share it with you." He grinned and took her hands, pulling her to her feet. "Then we shall call Dis! You and FIli and Kili and I shall go to fetch her from the Blue Mountains." Maranda laughed slightly.