Fire and Ice

Future Queen, Maybe.

By passed the celebration to retire in my room for a much need bath & bed.

Following morning, I dressed to go see what kind of trouble I could get myself into, the hot boilers were going, but this morning it was a bit cold in the castle, wasn't sure if it were the attitude of the place or it was physically cold..or both.

Found Gandalf in the main gathering room, hugging up to a large walk in fireplace smoking a pipe.

"Ah good morn Lady Elise, you look rested." Gandalf said as his eyes went to the table of food, meats & such.

"Sorry about last night, I hope King Thorin isn't too upset with me." I said as Gandalf walked with me to make a small plate of breads & cold meat.

"So you are calling him King again." Gandalf said.

"Out of respect for any of his marriage prospects,it would be rude to use his given name." I said taking a bite of salted dry beef.

"Yes I suppose your right." Gandalf said as we had gathered guests.

"Has Thorin risen yet?" A young beautiful black haired dwarf asked as she entered with an older dwarf.

"Have not seen him as of yet, princess Nina." Gandalf said.

"Yes well, I was thinking he and my daughter could go for a ride, since we are leaving tomorrow." I am sure Thorin will get more female callers..And you must be Lady Elise, the human that aided in the battle, unusual, but not unheard of." I'm King Lin..my daughter Nina, maybe future Queen." King Lin said as I bowed slightly only to bring my head up to see Thorin behind them.

I wanted to go crawl in a dark hole and never come out.

"Good-morning King Thorin." I willed myself to say before turning and coming to eye contact with Gandalf. Placed my uneaten plate of food back down on the table spread.

"Gandalf, you promised to teach me to shoot a bow." I said telling a lie only to get out of this castle if only for a few hours..I had to give him the eye to agree with me..

"Hu..oh yes I did didn't I Lady Elise..Maybe we should get on that." Gandalf said making it so convincing..(Not)As he scratched his beard.

By now I am sure the other three in the room noticed the uneasiness, but couldn't do anything about that now.

"Thorin, Nina wished to go riding with you today, it will more than likely be her only chance with you before other King's come calling for their daughter to be your queen." King Lin said as I felt saved by the old King.

"Only if she doesn't mind joining me in the human city to make statements of what the people need to rebuild." Thorin said as Gandalf and I both looked  at him as if to ask if he were serious.

"Enjoy your ride." I said as I placed my hand on Gandalf's arm to lead him out of the room..

"Don't work Lady Elise too hard Gandalf." Thorin said in a off hand way. Never once did Gandalf or myself commented to his statement.

Found a clearing, but not far enough to where we could not see the city and watch as Thorin & Nina rode toward the city.

"I thought that was you with Thorin heading to the city...well I'm glad I got to see you before I leave tomorrow." Bilbo said as my white fur cloak drug noisily over the frozen ground as I went to pick up my arrow where I made a bad shot.

"Glad you got to see me as well." I said as I felt everyone I was close to were leaving me to the wolves..more like Dwarves.

"Sooo, why is Thorin riding to the city?" Bilbo asked s he crossed his arms across his chest as we all looked toward the city.