Complicated (Thorin Oakenshield x Reader) [Slow Updates]

Chapter Fourteen

(Y/N) breathes a sigh of relief as they emerge into a conifer forest and fresh pine-scented air hits her muzzle, a pleasant contrast from the horrid reek of the goblin tunnels. The rest of the company also seem to be enjoying the absence of the foul scents, as they're taking literal gulps of the air.

"...five, six, seven, eight. Bifur, Bofur, that's ten. Fili, Ki­li, that's twelve. And Bombur, that makes thirteen," Gandalf says, before looking around. "Where's (Y/N)?"

Everyone else looks around as well, seeming confused at her absence. She glances at Bofur, who looks as if he's still deciding whether or not to tell them what he knows. Wanting to explain what's going on for herself, (Y/N) shifts back to her human state. All eyes turn towards her, some in shock, others in confusion, and all of them completely baffled.

"I... I have a lot to explain," (Y/N) says with a sigh. Everyone gives her an expectant look, Bofur even more so.

"I..." she trails off.

How exactly am I supposed to finish that sentence? I'm a skin-changer? I'm an assassin? I was sent by the most vile creature in all the land to kill Thorin? she thinks nervously, taking a deep breath. Just tell them the full truth.

"Well first of all, as I'm sure you've just guessed, I'm a skin-changer," she starts cautiously, analyzing how their expressions change as she speaks. When all that they do is look back at her, faces unchanging, she heaves a sigh, and continues on slowly.

"Many years ago my village was attacked by legions of Gundabad orcs. Many of us were killed, but some of us were caged and kept around, tortured, for no other purpose but sport. I was one of the few to escape, and, to cut the story short, my sister was one of those many who were captured. I tried to break her out, but only managed to get so far. The Pale Orc, Azog," she spits the name with all of the venom in her voice she can muster, "was poised to kill her, blade to her neck, but in the moment I was terribly desperate, and, grasping at straws, had offered him my services, in exchange for her life. After taking it into consideration, he accepted. He didn't, however, hold much trust that I would stay true to our little deal. So he told me he would keep her captive, until I'd completed his little task. And then he told me his terms. I could save her life... by taking yours," (Y/N) says, looking towards Thorin. She can't tell what he's thinking. His expression isn't quite blank, but unreadable nonetheless.

Everyone else, on the other hand, looks relatively nervous, their hands hovering over their sword handles. With a frown, she looks down at her boots, and continues.

"At first I was going to. The assassin who you all saw at Bag End... well, that was me. I joined the company at first as a means to get close enough to finish the task, but since then things have become far more... complicated. With every passing day it's become harder and harder to even consider going through with such a thing. In honesty, I've grown to care quite a lot for all of you, and the thought of losing your acceptance is something that troubles me a great deal..."

She trails off, clenching her fists, struggling to find more words for what she wants to say.

"But never the less... I had to let the truth be known at some point. I'm so sorry for what I was willing to do, and for what I was hiding from you all. I wouldn't be surprised if you can never forgive me," she finishes, looking up at the others nervously. They all seem speechless, having gotten all of that unexpected news at once. Several moments pass by, and no one has uttered a word.

"(Y/N), I-" Thorin begins, before being cut off by the sounds of howling in the wind. Everyone looks around, several of them unsheathing their weapons.

"Out of the frying pan."