A Ruby's Glow (Thorin Oakenshield x OC)

5. Peaceful Hours

I walked down the pathway, high above the central pit of Erebor, the glow of lava far below. Thorin's study is far up to avoid the hustle and bustle of the rest of Erebor, to give him some peace to his thoughts as the planned what was best for Erebor's future. I passed the guards as they tipped their heads towards me, not even surprised at all at my arrival. A lot of the guards knew I had a routine now of seeing Thorin when I could. I approached the door at the end of the long pathway over the pit, set into the top of one of Erebor's pillars.

I reached out to the small door, pushing open the green stone door to see the small study with holes in the walls to store scrolls, several bookcases lining the walls, and Thorin's overcrowded desk covered in scrolls, plans, books, you name it. He didn't look up as I entered, he knew it was me.

I'm the only person who doesn't knock. Also the guards usually alert him to a visitor, but not when I come here. A small desk in the corner had been set up for me, per Thorin's orders, because he didn't like me sitting on the floor in the corner. The desk was tiny with a comfy chair, and I was pleased my book from yesterday is still there on the desk, untouched. I took a seat there, picking up the book and leaning back in the chair, glancing up to see Thorin intently focused on some plans for Erebor's repairs.

I closed my eyes and relaxed, my tense muscles finally relaxing after the entire day of feeling like I was standing on a rope. Thorin's presence was very soothing to me, more than I would ever admit to the dwarf.

He is my lifeline, my tie to remaining sane through these rough waters I now face. While the rest of the Company matter much to me as well, Thorin is the one dwarf, after... my raven's death, that made me think twice on giving up. I love him, to a degree that both shocks me, awes me, and terrifies me. I would give up everything and anything to be at his side, to see him happy. We both have hurt each other... and all wounds take time to heal, but it truly shows how much I love him, and how much he loves me, that through all of that our love wasn't destroyed.

A relief to me, a piece of stable ground in my fractured mind, a tie to remind me why I am fighting my depression, my new self hatred, and my many other dark emotions. Because he loves me, and I love him so much I couldn't hurt him with the knowledge of how messed up I still am.

I read through the book in my hands, only partially aware of what I was reading. Something about different rocks, sediments, and minerals. I have found thousands of books like this one in Erebor's library, yet I have also found more surprising books in the library. Books on history, not just of dwarves, but of elves, of men. Soon I grew bored of the book and placed it down, page marked with my handmade bookmark as I picked up another book I left here.

A book of Dwarvish history. I had not read this one yet, but I was very curious, only reason I had not read it yet as the fast it is written in Khuzdul. With Bifur's help recently though, I have quickly learned sever common words of written Khuzdul and was eager to see if I could read at least some of this book. I leaned over the table as I began to read, annoyed with how little I recognized, but still I could glean some information from it.

'Mahal created - stone - Dwarrow and Dwarrowdams - not wanted - help them find - so he gifted - A Dwarf's One.' I frowned at that. There it is again! A dwarf's One, and this, like the Laketown book, capitalized the word One, meaning it meant more than just the number one. What does it mean? It must be important, from the little information I know, dwarves are highly secretive on this, even more so that their language. I know they believe Mahal created this Dwarf's One, and that whatever it is can lead to dwarves nearly causing wars with men if it is not resolved. Is it gold? It there like one piece of gold dwarves see and treasure more than any other piece of gold or something? That idea sounds most silly to me, so it must be something else. But what?