Golden Thrones and Moonlight Veils (HOBBIT FANFICTION)

Thorin and Company

Talessa was momentarily startled by the chaotic noise now filling the hall. She realized that all other conversations had ceased, except for those of the newcomers. They filled the smaller table prepared for them and began their meal straight away, laughing, nudging each other, and shouting, louder than the music playing in the background. Talessa tried not to stare, but it was difficult. This was the first time she had seen dwarves, and Elladan was somewhat right-they did not seem like particularly gallant folks. A few of them glanced in her direction, and one, a young-looking dwarf with dark hair, even gave her a cheeky wink. She quickly turned to her friends, but they were also busy sneaking glances at the newcomers.

Elrond walked in a moment later, followed by an old man dressed in all grey. That must be the wizard, she thought. The next person stepping into the room was also very obviously the king. He looked strong, stocky, but taller than the rest of his men. He might be the same height as Talessa. His clothes were made of fine materials but were clearly old and worn down. He had long, thick hair with some jewelled braids, but his beard was way shorter than all the others. The way he carried himself suggested authority, even the dwarves quieted down while he passed. Elrond seated them at the main table, just across Talessa and her friends. The dwarf's gaze fixed on her as he took his seat opposite. His face was stern, he didn't smile, unlike the wizard sitting next to him, who greeted everyone with cheerful glee. Talessa lowered her head, now feeling self-conscious about her dress, about the fact that her veil left her mouth uncovered. Eline noticed her discomfort and grabbed her hand under the table, squeezing it encouragingly. Talessa took a deep breath and looked up with-what she hoped was-a pleasant smile.

"Lady Talessa, Eline, this is my old friend, Gandalf the Grey," Elrond said, introducing the wizard. "And this," he continued, turning to the dwarf, "is Thorin Oakenshield."

"Pleased to make your acquaintances," said Gandalf. "A great but pleasant surprise to see Rohirrim here. What business are you on, if it is not too forward to ask?"

"How do you know where we are from?" interrupted Eline, her expression alarmed.

It was Elrond who replied. "My friend here has a vast knowledge; he can see many things most don't." He then turned to the wizard. "Lady Talessa is here on a family visit."

"She is half-elf" clarified Nídhiel, smiling at Gandalf. "They are vaguely related. And you are a wizard, are you not?"

Gandalf the Grey bowed his head with a laugh. "Indeed, a wizard I am."

Talessa glanced at Eline, who seemed to have recovered from her initial shock and was now listening to the conversation intently, just like Nídhiel. Elladan was uncharacteristically silent.

Talessa decided she liked the wizard, but the silent dwarf sitting across from her made her skin prickle with goosebumps. He made no attempt to be pleasant, and he looked as if he would rather be anywhere else.

✧

"This is Orcrist, the Goblin-Cleaver." Elrond examined the dwarf king's sword, gently running his hand over the ancient runes engraved into the metal, then handed it back to Thorin. "A famous blade, forged by the High Elves of the West. My kin. May it serve you well."

Thorin nodded and returned the weapon to its sheath. Elrond then examined Gandalf's sword.

"Glamdring, the Foe-hammer," he said, recognising it. "The sword of the King of Gondolin. These swords were made for the goblin wars of the First Age. How did they come into your possession?"

"We found them in a troll hoard on the Great East Road," Gandalf explained, smoothing out his beard. "Shortly before we were ambushed by orcs."

"What were you doing on the Great East Road?" Nídhiel leaned forward, but Elrond gave her a disapproving shake of his head, and she looked at Eline and Talessa with a dramatic eye-roll.

The wizard did not answer the question; instead, he quickly occupied himself with his wine, praising the rich flavor that, admittedly, he had only ever tasted in elven wines.

Meanwhile, Talessa noticed the dwarf king silently leaving the table to join his companions. It had been a good half hour since the food was served, but she realised that he had not touched his plate. Eline huffed at the clear impoliteness and whispered to her lady, "He must not like elven dishes... Or maybe they are up to something."

Talessa laughed softly and leaned closer to her friend.

"You said the same about the elves on our first night," she reminded her in a quiet voice, still smiling.

"That was about Lindir. And he is still very suspicious, if you ask me," retorted Eline with a mischievous smile, spearing a leaf of salad with her fork.

Talessa shook her head and turned back to Elrond and his companions.

"Thirteen dwarves and a halfling... Quite the peculiar party you've assembled, Gandalf," said the elf, amused.

"You're speaking of the descendants of Durin," the wizard replied. "They are all very honorable folk."

At that moment, one of the dwarves jumped onto the table and started singing a rather crude tune, drowning out the elven musicians. Soon, the others joined in-some throwing food around, others banging on the table in rhythm-all looking very pleased with themselves.

Talessa looked at the host with wide eyes as she dodged a piece of bread flying her way. Lord Elrond gritted his teeth, his expression carefully masking his displeasure, while Gandalf hunched over his food, pretending not to notice the commotion. Then, as she turned, a ripe, half-eaten pomegranate struck her square in the chest.

All of a sudden, everything slowed; the noise dulled to a distant buzz as she stared down at the vivid red stain spreading across her dress. It's not blood, she tried to convince herself, it's just a fruit. But the stain continued to spread, darkening in color, its texture thickening, and a foul, rotting smell filled her nostrils. She glanced at the table, where the discarded piece of fruit now lay, its core writhing with worms instead of lush seeds.

She shot to her feet, knocking her chair to the floor, and began backing away, desperately clawing at the soiled fabric. She felt hands reaching for her, gripping her arms, and then she was being led out of the dining room. As her head began to clear, she recognized Eline and Nídhiel at her side, gently guiding her to their suite. She heard Elladan catch up with them, urgently asking Nídhiel what had happened and if he could help, but the elven woman quickly told him to leave them be.

Talessa's stomach twisted in realization: Elrond had seen her slip; everyone in that room had. Tears stung her eyes at the thought that after this, they would likely be sent home, her cousin convinced she was a lunatic.

✧

Thorin watched as the woman was led away. If he hadn't seen her trembling body and unsteady posture, he might have thought she was putting on an act-to make their host despise his folk even more or perhaps to draw the attention of the young elf who had been gawking at her all evening. He wouldn't know. He was not familiar with the scheming of women; he barely even knew any, besides his sister Dís and a few dwarf-maidens he had met while living among the Men.

Dwarf women were different from elves; they were resilient and bold, built stocky like the men of their kin. Elven and mortal women, on the other hand, were fair and graceful, but too delicate and frail for his taste. He looked again at the half-elven woman being guided out of the room, wondering what she looked like beneath that veil. Perhaps she was hiding a disfigured face, or maybe she was exceedingly beautiful-like all elves. Yet from her small frame, he would never have guessed her mixed heritage. He also wondered if there had always been something broken in her, or if it had just snapped now. And he wondered, too, if he would see her again.

His attention shifted back to his men, who had fallen silent, some glancing sheepishly at the now-empty seat.

"What was that all about?" Fíli whispered to Dori, but Thorin silenced them with a stern look, and they returned to what remained of their meal. He noted Kíli-the culprit who had thrown the fruit-looked guilty enough. Thorin thought he might still have a word with the lad about causing trouble in someone else's home, just to ensure his sister, Dís, couldn't accuse him of neglecting his nephews' manners. But for now, all he wanted was some rest and a warm bath so that's what he did.