The Ties That Bind

Chapter Twenty-Six

Eirlys sat in a cozy corner in the Great Hall after all of the dwarves had left to get on with their days. She smiled at Narnerra and her son, impish little Gimli, as they passed through on their way out into the courtyard. Apparently they were not restricted from using it until the walls were repaired.

A sigh bubbled to her lips. She understood Thorin's caution and of course respected his wishes, as they were out of concern for her. But for one who was used to being able to wander about her home as she pleased in Mirkwood, this one restriction was enough to make her fairly itch to go out into the sunlight.

But she'd given Thorin her word and she would abide by it, even if it meant sitting inside, with a book for company. The dwarves were friendly enough, if not overly welcoming to her once Thorin wasn't around, and she couldn't really fault them. She was an outsider. An elf. Although the mutual distrust between elf and dwarf wasn't quite as strong as it once had been, the thaw was slow in coming. It would be some time—if it ever came—before Erebor accepted her as one of them.

"Your Highness?"

She looked up as Madris strode across the Great Hall toward her, and smiled as she set down her book. "What is it?"

"I came to see how you fared last night." Madris smiled as she drew out the chair across from Eirlys. "May I?"

"Of course."

The chair creaks softly as Madris settled into it. "Did you speak with him last night?"

"With who?"

"His Highness!"

"Oh..." Eirlys smiled as she bobbed her head. "I did, indeed."

"And?"

She couldn't contain her smile as memory of the previous night swept through her to leave hints of heat in its wake. "Everything is fine." She drew in a deep breath. "I told him how I felt about him."

"And?"

"My father made a wise choice when he proposed this marriage, for it seems Thorin has decided that I am irresistible."

"So, he loves you back, then?"

"Yes, Madris," she laughed, bobbing her head, "he loves me back."

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Madris' smile faded. "You look serious all of the sudden, Your Highness. What is it?"

"Father wishes me to come to Mirkwood until the orc army is no longer a threat and Thorin was considering it."

If this request came as surprise to her, Madris hid it well. Instead, her expression grew far more serious. "It might not be a terrible idea, you know. You might be safer at home than you are here. After all, the forest is heavily enchanted."

Somehow, she just knew Madris would agree with her father. "This is my home now and I don't want to leave it. Besides, the trip back would be terribly dangerous, since the pack has moved closer to the Long Lake." She sighed softly, tapping her fingers on the table. "And I'm worried because that wall isn't finished and... well... Thorin told me about how the Gundabad orcs also attacked from the north. Two fronts and both determined to end him and his line. That courtyard wall is a weak spot."

"Well, I'm certain he's thought of that. He certainly isn't a stupid man."

"No. No, he isn't and I'm sure he has, but... I can't help but worry."

"There's only one cure for worrying and that's a cup of tea," Madris told her. "So, let me fetch you some and if I can, I'll find out what is going on where the courtyard is concerned."

Eirlys nodded slowly. "Tea would be lovely, thank you."

"I'll be right back then."

Eirlys picked her book up again, but just as had happened when she tried to read before Madris' arrival, she found she couldn't concentrate. Not that it was a bad thing. Quite the opposite, really. Instead, she smiled as the words on the pages disappeared, replaced by her memories of the previous night. Nothing would ever compare to hearing Thorin telling her he loved her. She would never forget how it felt to finally hear those words, to see the softness in his pale eyes, to hear it in his low and rumbling voice, to feel it in his touch. It was so difficult to remember that at first, she hadn't wanted to marry him, had been convinced that he was being forced into it and that they would never get on.