A Ruby's Glow (Thorin Oakenshield x OC)

3. Hidden Scars

Thorin and I entered the Company's dining hall. A rather unique idea Thorin came up with, and what gives the original company time together, was having a breakfast hall for the company only, but that we would eat lunch and dinner in the Grand Hall. I enjoyed it because it was one of the few times a day I get to enjoy spending time with all of the company. Thorin pushed open the large door for me, politely gesturing into the hall as I smiled, still getting used to these... gentle- dwarf actions? I don't know what you would call it, but it is nice. 

The hall was already bustling with the Company sitting and waiting for us, booming laughter, snorting of ale from laughter, burps, and loud talking. I smiled slightly at the sound, oddly finding this very crass behavior and their loud voices calming. They are my family, and this is one way to know my family is happy. I followed Thorin to the table next to the large long square stone dining table, a smaller stone table with a few trays of what little foods we currently have on hand. Trades are in progress, Thorin once said, and he hopes for more nourishing foods to come to the mountain in the future. For now, however, we only have what's in the storage below and what is being sent by cart from the Ironhills by Thorin's cousin.

The selection was a bit better today. Dried strips of salted pork from the Ironhills, roughly made bread from the stored grains, and some root tubers also sent from the Ironhills. Not many foods can survive travel well, but Thorin is grateful none the less his cousin Dain is offering such assistance. I grabbed some of each and a mug of ale. The stored barrels of ale here in Erebor... By The Valar, they are huge barrels. I would say as large as a house alone, and there are 26 of them, enough to keep all of Erebor happy with their favorite drink. Erebor ale has a particular tang to it that is especially bitter and it has taken me time to grow used to it.

I followed Thorin to our chairs at the far corner of the table. Everyone's claimed a seat as their own but often times we all jump around to speak to others after eating, before going off to our daily duties....

Which, at the moment, I have none... It's left me feeling clueless of what my purpose is here. I have never, in my life, had a moment where there was not something I was needed for, or something I was fighting towards... And now? I've hit the end of the road, and I am lost, scrambling for stability in this new and unknown world I have stepped foot into. But I have done my best to hide it from Thorin, from all of the company. I sat, placing my plate and mug on the table as Fili and Kili immediately turned towards me and began talking.

"So, Mena, you up for a spar later? I made a bet with my brother who would loose their sword first." Kili said with as grin and I rolled my eyes and nodded silently, my throat aching quite painfully after forcing my voice above a whisper. Kili understood though.

"Sweet, I'm going to win this bet, Fili!" Kili said excitedly.

"In your dream, little brother, I kn0ow I will win, and then you will have to pay up." Fili said with a smirk as I shook my head at those two and focused on my breakfast, digging into the food as I silently watched the dwarves at the table interact with eachother when Oin spoke.

"Still having troubles with your voice, lass?" Oin asked, holding his trumpet not towards me but Thorin. I sighed, knowing recently Oin can't hear me at all with all of my whispering, so he looks to the dwarf nearest to me or whomever might know more.

"She tried a few minutes ago to speak above a whisper, still the same, causes her quite a bit of pain, and the sound of her voice is drastically different." Thorin said after finishing his dried salted pork. Oin nodded and looked at me with a frown.

"If it's okay with you, lass, I would like to check that today. I have been tending to a lot of dwarves but most are healing now, and I did some reading into the subject as this is new to me. Maybe that elf friend of yours and her healing knowledge could help me piece something together. Bring her along with you." Oin said as I quietly sighed and nodded, glad that the rest of the Company has accepted Tauriel. Not as part of the Company, but as a friend of mine and a friend of Fili and Kili's. Though none knew the true relationship between Tauriel and Kili except me and Fili. I listened to Fili and Kili argue over their bet as I ate.