A War Not Yet Won {Thorin Oakenshield Sequel to My Heart My Mountain My King}

Chapter 9 - Return of the Nymphs

"Kester?" I breathed.

"Jaedda."

Standing before me, was my brother. My twin.

We ran up to each other and embraced tightly, tears of joy flowing from our eyes.

"What happened to you?" I exclaimed.

"Me? What happened to you?" he returned. "How did you become the queen of Erebor?"

"It's a long story," I said with a chuckle. I stared at him, then started kissing his face. He laughed.

"You've grown up to be quite a beautiful nymph," he complimented.

But I could hardly return that compliment. He was skinny from head to toe, malnutrition was showing itself in his eyes. His cheekbones were peeking out of his face, and his eyes were black and swollen.

"What happened to you?"

"It's a long story."

I smiled at him. "Well, come this way, I have much to tell you."

I lead him away as the other Nymphs were left with Thorin, Legolas and Aragorn. I couldn't get a good look at their faces before they were taken away, but they looked somewhat familiar.

I took Kester to my room and sat him down.

"What happened to you?" I inquired.

He let out a long breath. "It all started they day the Orcs came, obviously," he began. "You went off to do an errand. A few of us were hunting just outside the village. Then, the Orcs came. We heard them slaughtering our family and friends. We ran back to see what was happening, but it was too late. I figured you were dead too. We started running away, but the Orcs captured us."

I furrowed my brows. "So, they didn't kill all of you?"

He shook his head unsurely, figuring out how to answer.

"It was only a small group of us. About ten. They captured us and kept us for slaves or tortured us. Seven died over the past hundred years."

"Seven?" I squeaked. He nodded.

"About 4 months ago, most of the orcs left. We would've died of starvation if Legolas and Strider hadn't rescued us."

I paused for a moment to take it all in. "So, who else made it back? I couldn't quite see their faces."

He smirked. "You'll have to see for yourself. I think you'll be very pleased when you find out."

I smiled. I was excited. We walked out together and went to the room where the others had slipped into earlier. I opened the door and stepped inside. There were smiles on the peoples' faces. One of the Nymphs turned around to face me in his chair. My smile vanished.

"Jaedda," he breathed as he got up. He began walking towards me.

"Teodric."

He walked up to me and pulled me into his arms. Thorin began to look uneasy. Teodric pulled me to him and forced a kiss to my lips.

"What's going on?" Thorin asked as he got up.

"Thorin," I said as I walked towards him. "This is Teodric. My fiancé."