The Ties That Bind

Chapter Seventeen

"You are not leaving me alone with him."

Madris looked unperturbed as she stowed the last of Eirlys' things into her trunk and lowered the lid. "He's your husband, Your Majesty. You are perfectly safe in his company."

"Well, of course I am," Eirlys snapped, sinking onto the closed trunk. "Only a fool would think otherwise."

"So, why the hesitation?"

"I'm not hesitating, Madris. I'm—"

Madris held her stare, arching one brow slightly. "You're what?"

"Oh, never mind."

"Your Majesty, you and His Majesty are newlyweds. I should think you'd relish a bit of time alone, since when we reach Erebor, he will have a kingdom to oversee and not much free time."

Eirlys bit back a sigh. "Normally I would agree with you, but not this time."

"Why not?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

Madris' hand came down on her shoulder, a gesture she never would have done if anyone else was in the room with them. "May I be frank with you?"

"Will it stop you if I say no?"

"Not likely."

Despite her black mood, Eirlys smiled. "Then be frank."

"Why don't you simply tell me what happened between you and His Majesty, because I know something did."

Eirlys looked up at her, clasping her hands between her knees. "Lachon happened."

The maid's forehead wrinkled. "What?"

Eirlys nodded slowly. "I didn't even know he'd been invited. Or maybe he wasn't and simply took it upon himself to attach himself to Elrond's group. I don't know and I don't care, because it doesn't matter. What matters is that he was here and he kissed me and Thorin saw it and now he thinks I was willingly with that jackanapes and he won't listen to me at all."

"Did you tell your father?"

"No. I just wanted to forget it and I foolishly thought I could convince Thorin that I wanted no part of Lachon or his blasted kiss! And you know Father would have taken him apart, so perhaps I should have done."

"And Thorin honestly thinks you would prefer that limp noodle over him? Did he actually see Lachon?"

"See him?" Eirlys managed a smile. "He knocked him arse over teakettle for his trouble."

Madris cocked that brow again. "Arse over teakettle?"

"I overheard Bard of Dale use it when he was talking to that little white-haired dwarf at the reception."

"Balin?"

"I think that's his name, yes. I didn't see much of him, but I know he traveled with Dwalin because I still can't quite believe they are brothers. But, either way, Lachon fouled everything up and he did it apurpose."

"Did you explain to Thorin why you would prefer him over that limp noodle?"

"I've tried. I've told him what he saw was me trying to get away from said limp noodle, but Thorin refuses to believe me and I don't know how to make him."

"Then you most definitely need to have that coach to yourselves. Close quarters for the better part of the next day will give you the—"

"He will simply ignore me."

Madras offered up a warm, maternal smile. "My darling Eirlys, if there is one thing I know, it is that you are impossible to ignore." She draped an arm about her shoulders and gave Eirlys a gentle squeeze. "And if he manages to, he will kick himself in time when he realizes what a fool he's been."