Natural || Dwalin x OC - A Hobbit Fanfiction

29 - The Gallows

Perched on Killer in front of Dwalín, Rurín rested her head on his shoulder as they slowly made their way through the forest, with Mithlorn behind them. She looked over his shoulder at their pack pony that was carrying several new bags filled to the brim with medicinal plants, new clothes from the elves gifted to her, books, and to Orí's delight, art supplies for the both of them. Rurín glanced over at Orí who was proudly wearing her new lavender-colored and light grey embroidered elven cloak that Glorfindel purchased for her in gratitude for taking care of his heart sister.

Dorí had thrown a fit over it but Orí was having NONE of it. She loved her cloak.

Dwalín rested his bearded chin in the crook of her neck. His hand that was holding the reigns rested on her hip under her cloak. He gave squeezed her lightly. A small smile came to her lips as she thought about the kiss they shared and the confessions made.

"Do you suppose Thorín will have the trail when we arrive?" Dorí called out.

Rurín closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.

- - -

"What did you say?" Rurín voice hitched pathetically. Her hands shook and she had gone pale.

Dorí and Orí couldn't quite meet her frightened gaze. They were staring down at their steaming cups of tea. Dwalín rubbed the back of his neck, feeling so hopeless. She had gotten so far in her healing. He didn't want her to take several paces back but it appeared that he had no choice in the matter. She looked as if she saw a ghost.

"They found 'im," Dwalín repeated. "Nâr... He confessed, Rurí."

Rurín collapsed into the chair. She brought her hands to her face, burying them in her palms and shuddering before choking up. Dwalín hurried over to her and kneeled before her, turning her so she could cry into his chest as he held her.

"I-- I-- never th-thought--" Unable to make a proper sentence from her muddled brain.

How could she be so stupid? How did she not figure it out? She had been with him for a month! She had been held captive by him for a whole bloody month! Never once did she think it was Nâr! None of it made sense!

"Shh... Shh..." Dwalín rubbed her hair and cooed in her ear. "There ya go, Lassie. I got ya."

"Nobody saw this comin', lass," Dorí spoke up. Rurín looked at him all blurry-eyed. "Nobody knew. This is not your fault, Rurín."

"He was so nice," Orí whispered.

"Evil can hide in plain sight, Orí," Dwalín gave her a penetrating look that her slumping in her chair. "Nâr found a spot in Thorín that he thought he could exploit. He and several other nobles were not happy with the Durín line. Thraín abandoned his people and knocked his boots with a human... We all knew it was too easy, we all should have known that something was amiss from the start. Rurín is a half-human and born out of union."

Rurín held his tunic a little tighter. He didn't even view her as a bastard... He had said it in the nicest way she had ever heard.

"Surly it can not be just because of her half-blood status!" Orí exclaimed. Dorí put his hand on her wrist to calm her down.

Rurín sniffed and wiped at her eyes.

"It's political," She whispered. Dwalín grunted in agreement.