Lady Red Cloak

Pitiful Eyes

A week later

Screams echoed down the halls as if someone was being slaughtered, in reality - it was just the combination of an unbearable fever mixed with what was meant to be a lovely hot bath. Oin had recommended lukewarm temperatures but due to us bouncing between burning and freezing, some had resorted to raising the temperature of the water without a real idea of how warm they'd made it

My breaths were shaky as I laid in the water trying to hold myself up, I was sure this wasn't even bath water anymore and just all sweat. There was originally a helper dwarrowdam in here to aid but I'd dismissed her awhile ago, no one should've seen me in such a frail state - how could a few herbs have knocked us so? Without experiencing it, I would've thought the situation impossible...how wrong I wish I had been

The maid had been discussing the condition of our king and the heirs of the kingdom, 'near fatal' were the words she spoke although she didn't dare say a word of what happened outside the gates, nor were we either well enough or permitted to look for ourselves that caused our kin to receive such injuries where their life would be so quickly stolen from their lungs

I'd been lucky in not yet seeing the horrors our world with my own eyes, excluding the on-going vile hatred between dwarves and elves - Dwalin had always left out the gruesome details of his adventures due to it being 'improper for a lady to know such things'...and I was still learning to walk, although he did let me touch his axes not long after

"M'lady, would you feel up to trying solid food today?" My eyes fell closed in exhaustion, no matter how many times I denied sustenance - they always came back chipper the next day. It wasn't that I'd left myself to rot away, I just couldn't face risking wasting supplies; we weren't short of them anymore, but there was that paranoid notion in my head that each puddle I created could've been used to feed others

"N-no" my voice was weak and croaky replacing what was once an upbeat melodic tone that I used for stories - the only story I sounded like I should be telling was my life as if I was about to draw my last breath. That wasn't what was happening as much as it felt like it, I was just down bad with a heavy fever and denying stomach that attacked any single thing that dared to pass through

"Don't make me tell on you, it's a terrible business" Even though he had his back turned just outside the door, Balin stood stubbornly overruling my asks for the greater good of my condition. It wasn't that he'd tell the servants any different but he'd convince me to try things I'd originally denied much like the uncle he was...he was the kind of person to encourage small dwarflings to play with one another while their parents spoke

On one hand, all I wanted to do was be held and rocked in comfort to take away the suffering, on the other - I wished nothing more than to be alone and prove what was meant to be my unwavering dwarven strength that I felt I was being robbed of. It had been months since my fingertips had even touched an axe let alone swung one "Dwalin can decide whether I eat...when he's in the same condition"

The woman came in with bowl in my hand with a small wooden spoon, her approach was slow just in case I couldn't stand the mere sight of bread and a challenge of soup. The smell alone was amazing, enough to make my mouth water...and in a good way this time "Would you like to place your bets, master dwarf?" A low chuckle came from the doorway as I pushed myself up to lean against the stone tub more

"That's your father's game, mimûna (little one)" he would've watched or fed me himself if I wasn't utterly naked. That was a line they drew when I matured past a waddling one, my body was my own - I bathed alone, I changed alone and that was that! I took the spoon pacing myself for the worst as I took a small bite closing my eyes, then we waited...and waited. Very few signs of regurgitation appeared

"You alright, lassie?" I hummed in response affirming that I was okay but not wanting to dare open my mouth just in case something happened "well it would seem the warm water is in your favour" there was a bright smile across the maid's face, one of success and victory...but Balin's seemed more heart-warming even though it was barely in view, then came the realisation in the form of muffled sniffing - the master dwarf had been brought to tears

"I haven't witnessed such emotion from you, master dwarf, ever since I wrote you that letter as a child" the woman's hand checked my forehead before her smile faded slightly, while my physical strength had improved a little - the furnace of temperature hadn't died down even the tiniest bit. Balin had attempted to put an end to the waterworks but truth be told, he was afraid this foul beast of an illness would be my demise

Oin was rarely dumbfounded by what he saw, but this struck horror in his eyes, maybe it was because only a quarter of dwarrow people were dams, maybe it was because so many things could've happened on the road but to see so many folk knocking on death's door with no answers as to why...and what would my dear uncle say to his brother if I were to suddenly pass in the night?

"Oh this? I wouldn't worry yourself lassie, not about this old dwarrow...and it was a lovely letter" a small chuckle left my lips as i was slowly helped out the tub with my nightgown set on the side ready, the bath didn't do as much as the healers had hoped it would, but my spirits had perked beyond the level of a corpse. The letter was one of endearment towards Balin for educating me when I was old enough to recognise he had no obligation to do so, someone I aspired to be like!

It was an odd concept to remember the man before me with a beard full of colour yet here he stood white as snow, I felt like I hadn't aged a day although that definitely wasn't the case. I planted myself down on the stool to fully take in how he'd changed "Now, I remember when you were a wee lass, and you'd sit next to the fire back in the mountains waiting for me, as you are now to do exactly what I'm about to do"

The little dwarf took my place on the stool as I shuffled onto the floor knowing he would need it more than I. Without realising, I let out a deep breath "Out with it" if not for his fingers tangled in my locks making intricate braids, I would've looked round. Nothing ever got past him, not then and not now - I promised myself I'd never be interested in the subject, but that didn't mean curiosity didn't strike my mind...so I chose another question

"Has the House of Durin, awoken yet?" While Dwalin and Thorin were close, I'd never been formally introduced, although it was never spoken out loud - I knew the reason. It had surfaced the same day the pale orc fell even if he left it out of the story, there was no hiding the grimace of disgust anytime anyone mentioned their arrival and departure with no bloodshed to contribute...and few had forgotten with such pride on their minds

"And what concern of that is yours? Hmm? You're supposed to be focusing on your own health, never mind Thorin and his kin" this was as close to scolding as Balin got, he never yelled, just watched from afar. His work was about half done when he caved into my request "Thorin himself slips in and out on consciousness yet remains stable, as are you. The princes on the other hand, have not yet awoken once but worry not - the kingdom of Erebor will still be standing when you escape these chambers"

Balin's hands returned to my shoulders with a simple 'there' as I tilted my head back into his lap to stare up into those dark eyes I sought so much comfort in. "What if, and its only an 'if' - what if I don't heal from this ail, I stay marooned down here until the end of my days? Or what if it worsens before I see the rest of the lonely mountain...what if its permanent?" his fingers ran up my neck and along my jawline to the bottom of my ears

"'if' that is so, then I will return everyday you are here regardless of duration. I will stand guard and watch you be carried wherever you need to be" Balin's gaze shifted from mine to properly scan around the room "might be a wee bit small for a weddin' but I'm sure we'll make do!" i couldn't help but laugh considering the average attendance of a dwarven union was usually the entire kingdom as we tend to all be close well knit, there's no possible way we would all fit in one little chamber room - but I suppose that was the joke

"Tell me, what are the mines like?" Although it was the question I was moist interested in, I couldn't help but zone out as Balin's voice wrapped around me like a warm blanket on a harsh winter's eve. The fear I was once corrupted by had long fled when I was in his arms, that accent had become so familiar to me - I could listen for hours on end and never want nothing less...

But the mines were calling...