The Truth Beneath the Rose

Connections

"Oh no." Nevaeh shook her head. "No. Absolutely not."

"It's the only way." Bard insisted.

The rest of the company groaned and shifted uncomfortably. They had been through the ringer already and now this? "I'll find another way." 

"There is no other way." Bard, understanding as he was, knew her resistance was futile.

"Watch." She said, swiping a navy blue cloak off a line, tossing the merchant a pouch of coins. Turning to walk off, a firm hand spun her back around. 

"You're not going anywhere." Thorin rolled his eyes at her, earning a scowl from her. She was not a child.

Neveah's voice grew low. "I am more than capable of looking after myself. I have survived this long on my own. I know how to be invisible." She yanked her arm from his grasp and composed herself. Thorin's glare was becoming easier for her to ignore. "Go with Bard. I'll see you soon."

He sighed and gave in. "How will you know where to go?" 

"I'll find you." She gave a small smile before she disappeared from sight.

Bard rushed over to Thorin. "Where has she gone? She could be seen."

"She won't be." Thorin said, trying to believe it himself. Saying it aloud did not help.

"We will all be arrested." Bard through up his arms.

"She'll be fine." He almost shouted. Huffing, he walked past the bargeman. "Let's get on with this."

Nevaeh drifted easily through the winding paths of Laketown, staying hidden in the shadows. Dusk had fallen upon the lake, making her even more unnoticeable. This was her life before the company and she wondered if this would be her life after this journey's end. Thorin had asked if she would stay once this was all over. So much had happened since then. So much had changed. She had so many answers to questions she held for years, but those answers only led to more questions. Her mind was a whirlwind of confusion and uncertainty. Suddenly, she was stopped in her tracks, her senses running amuck. Her eyes shifted and immediately found the source of disruption, leaned against door. "Well, well." His velvety voice tutted. "What a pleasure it is to find myself in your path once more." He straightened up and walked over to her.

"Alastor." She smirked. "What are you doing here? I thought you were headed South."

"You know, I do not rightly know." He chuckled lightly. "I made it all the way to East Emnet, when something in my mind took me North again. Landing me here. Quite curious."

"Curious, indeed." Her eyebrow quirked.

"What are you doing here, if you don't mind my asking." Alastor inquired.

"What's to say that you don't already know?" Nevaeh replied.

"True enough." Alastor grinned. "But, with all do respect, your thoughts are thunderously loud. I could hear you coming from the moment you passed through the tollgate." He leaned in closer. "How's the fish here?" He whispered.

Nevaeh grimaced. "Very funny."

"Care to share your troubles with a friend?" He asked.

"You're a friend?" Nevaeh crossed her arms over her chest.

"Why yes, actually. And I like to think that I'm a good one. I've been told that I am an excellent listener." Nevaeh laughed at the poor joke. "Ah, see. I knew there was a sense of humor somewhere in there." He studied her carefully. "So are you going to tell me what's troubling you or am I going to have to sift through the chaos myself?"