So Far Away ✔

010

. . .

THORIN

. . .

"You've accompanied us long enough now," Elladan noted in a cold tone as they had passed just a few trees.

"I kept my word," Scar answered calmly. "I advice you to do the same. If not, I will not be answerable for the consequences."

Thorin didn't know what to do. He didn't take her threats lightly – who knew what she had done with Fíli the past weeks? Her answers gave him the feeling that she was still holding power over the boy. Thorin had no idea what to expect, but he had no doubt that she had spent the time with his nephew well. He had changed. The moment Thorin had looked him in the eye, he had noted that his innocence was faded. His new pet was just one example. He didn't know if lord Elrond would allow a small warg into the community. Thorin would find it entirely understandable if his hospitality had its limits. Accepting four dwarfs was one thing, but wargs were a whole different breed. Thorin wouldn't be surprised if Fíli would also have a little orc friend hidden somewhere.

A deep sigh coming from Elladan's mouth made Thorin look up again. He was afraid that his friend would reconsider his decision to accompany him. Thorin had looked forward to spend more time with Scar, but now the moment was there he didn't feel comfortable at all and he feared that she would drive a wedge between Elladan and him. It was clear that a lot had happened between those two and he still had a hard time picturing a loving relationship between them. Neither Elladan nor Elrohir had wanted to tell him what had gone wrong, and he didn't expect to hear it from Scar either.

"You can also follow a mile behind us with that monster of yours," Elladan said.

Scar laughed. There was no trace of warmth in her voice. "We both know you'll be looking over your shoulder the whole time, instead of keeping an eye on the road. You're of no use to the dwarf if you're constantly distracted."

The last thing Thorin wanted, was listen to the quarrels of those two creatures the whole time. Usually they were both quiet, but they made every word sound like a riddle now, as if they had some secret code to talk about things he didn't understand.

"Why do you want to join us?" Thorin asked.

He had always found it hard to talk to her, but he didn't want to give her the reins.

"I think you'll need my help," she stated simply.

"Why would you want to help?" He was genuinely surprised, and he felt a little ashamed of his blunt answer.

"Do I need a special reason? Have you ever asked Lord Elrond why he does a lot of good for you and your sister? Maybe I'm not the monster Elladan is seeing in me."

"You're not a monster," the elf muttered, without bothering to look at her. "You're way worse than that."

Thorin's hands felt clammy. He was afraid the two would soon jump off their mounts to fight their battle. There was no way to predict who of them would win, and both outcomes sounded like a loss. Elladan because he was one of his closest friends and Scar because...

Well he didn't exactly know why, but he did know that he didn't want to see her leave.

Not for good and certainly not before he knew more about her than her name – although he doubted that was even her real name – the broken relationship with Elladan and her love for wargs.

~

The search for his father had been on his mind for quite a while. It had been inevitable, something he would have started sooner or later. Now he had really started, he realized what an impossible task it was. He could be anywhere.