The Ties That Bind

Chapter Five

"What happened to you?"

Eirlys smiled at the mix of concern and exasperation in Madris' voice, for it was a far too familiar combination. Still, she waited until she tugged off her snow-spattered boots before answering, "I was saving my future husband's skin."

"What?" Madris took the boots to place them outside the door to Eirlys' chambers, where they would be picked up to be dried and brushed.

Eirlys nodded. "The fool went off into the forest, became lost, and almost stumbled into that blasted orc pack that insists on testing us."

"And you went alone?"

"Do not think to scold me, Madris. If I'd stopped to get assistance, Thorin would most likely be dead, for not only was he lost, but he was also unarmed. So, I did us all a service, helpless and spoiled though I am."

Madris sighed softly as she took Eirlys' cloak to hang up. "It was still foolish of you to do, Your Highness."

"Why? I am more than capable of taking care of myself and if it weren't for me, who knows what would have happened to Thorin if I hadn't gone after him?"

"He is a trained warrior," Madris reminded her gently.

"One who ventured into the forest unarmed and unawares."

"Be that as it may—"

"No," Eirlys broke in sharply, shaking her head. "There is no be that as it may. I kept him safe. I made certain no orc arrows found their mark and I'll not apologize for it."

"Your Highness, may I be frank with you?"

"If I tell you no, will it stop you?"

"Not likely."

"Go on, then."

"You cannot keep doing things like that. Not once you are married. You will be the queen of Erebor, and will need to present yourself accordingly. Part of that is not feeling as if you must rescue your husband at every turn."

"I feel no such way, but it's good that I listened to my instincts and followed him, wouldn't you say? And besides, I am not the queen of anything yet and if it means giving up every part of me, I want no part of it!"

With that, she marched away from Madris, out toward her terrace. The snow had stopped and sunlight broke through, but it did little to ease her blackening spirits. Was this how her life would play out now, with her every move being watched and scolded? Madris was planning to come to Erebor with her, did that mean she would act as mother and teacher and scold her at every turn? If that was so, Eirlys would far rather go alone.

She stared out at the trees and foliage, all draped in mantles of white. She didn't want to think about the time where she would no longer be able to walk in her woods, where she felt so comfortable no matter where in Mirkwood she ventured. The only part of the woods she avoided was were the spiders had claimed the trees as their own. But otherwise, the forest was her playground, her place of serenity, where she went when she was troubled or confused or at a loss. Somehow, she knew Erebor would be none of those places for her.

Footsteps sounded softly behind her. "Your Highness?"

"Go away, Madris. I need no further lectures."

"I do not wish to lecture you, but you must know what will be expected of you in the coming days."

"I know what's expected of me. I am to become someone completely different and hope to the skies that I like the person she is."

"I think you will become someone different simply because your life is about to change, not because anyone is unhappy with who you are."